Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday admitted that his name had never fetched him victories and he had lost the elections in the past fought on his name.
Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi, Naidu said: “When I was obsessed with my name, I lost elections. Now, my focus is on carrying people along and working for their betterment.”
Naidu also recalled the days of his imprisonment in October last year in connection with the skill development corporation scam. He said he was arrested without prior notice, adding that the experience only strengthened his resolve.
“Throughout my life, I have maintained decorum and followed public policies strictly. This episode has reinforced my determination to stay focused and not let my energy fall,” said Naidu.
On his call to the people of Andhra to have more than two children, Naidu said he was planning to provide incentives to families who bear more than two offspring.
“India has to move towards population management. South India has an aging problem. India’s fertility rate in 1991 was 5.2 or 5.4. Now we are at 2.5. We are just on the borderline. If we go below 2.5, the population will not grow. That will be a great danger for humanity,” Naidu said.
The TDP leader, who cited the economic impacts of Japan’s declining population, said there was a time when his government provided incentives for family planning, implying that the demographic situation was fast changing.
India is still relatively a young country, which offers the nation a so-called demographic dividend, which refers to the economic advantage that comes with having a large working-age population.
However, that advantage is set to peak around 2035-40, with longer lifespans and a growing elderly population, according to some experts. Higher-income states in the south are witnessing a shrinking population trend.
On managing coalition politics, Naidu said it was natural to have differences.
“Always in a family, there could be differences between father and son, husband and wife. You have to talk and bring [about] a consensus. The same principle works in politics.”
Naidu praised prime minister Narendra Modi for respecting his allies views.
“He is a strong leader, modern and progressive in outlook. You see, after the swearing- ceremony, we were told we could go. Then we were informed he will meet all NDA chief ministers. Then he conducted four hours of uninterrupted meeting.”