Chandrababu Naidu Meets Nirmala Sitharaman, Seeks Enhanced Financial Support For Andhra Ahead Of Union Budget

The meeting, attended by TDP ministers in the Centre, holds significance as it comes just weeks before the Union Budget 2024-25 presentation.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday and urged for increased financial support for the debt-burdened state ahead of the Union Budget presentation. During the meeting at North Block, Naidu emphasised the urgent need for central assistance for various ongoing projects in Andhra Pradesh.

Sources revealed that Naidu presented a detailed memorandum outlining the state's financial needs and the rationale behind the request for increased allocations. The memorandum highlighted critical projects requiring immediate funding, such as the Polavaram irrigation project, special assistance for backward regions, and support for the development of the new capital, Amaravati, according to a report on PTI.

Naidu also addressed unresolved issues stemming from the bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. He has been vocal about the state's financial distress, citing data that shows public debt has risen from 31.02% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2019-20 to 33.32% in the 2023-24 fiscal year, indicating a decline in the state's fiscal health over the past five years.

The meeting, attended by TDP ministers in the Centre, holds significance as it comes just weeks before the Union Budget 2024-25 presentation. The Chief Minister's demands also included resolution of pending bifurcation issues.

Finance Minister Sitharaman gave a patient hearing to Naidu's concerns and assured him that she would consider Andhra Pradesh's demands within the broader fiscal constraints, according to sources. This assurance follows Naidu's recent discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union Ministers, where he also sought increased central support to address the state's fiscal challenges.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by Naidu, remains a crucial partner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with its 16 Lok Sabha MPs supporting the Narendra Modi-led government.