Chandrababu Naidu meets PM Modi, urges to boost central support for Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi: In a bid to secure more central assistance for Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Accompanied by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmasani, Naidu expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for key allocations in the recent Union Budget, particularly the ₹15,000 crore earmarked for the development of the state's new capital.

Detailed overview of AP's financial situation

During the meeting, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief provided a detailed overview of Andhra Pradesh’s financial situation, highlighting the state's pressing fiscal challenges. Naidu emphasized the need for increased central government support to stabilize the state's economy, stimulate economic activities, and enhance its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

According to official data, Andhra Pradesh's public debt has escalated from 31.02% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2019-20 to 33.32% in 2023-24, reflecting the state's deteriorating fiscal health over the past five years. 

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

(Source: Telugu Desam Party) pic.twitter.com/9u8WtTtFd8

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2024

Naidu is also expected to meet with Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the second day of his visit to the national capital, where he will likely continue discussions on further central support for Andhra Pradesh.

Vision 2047 for Andhra Pradesh

In his recent Independence Day speech, Naidu announced that his government is crafting a Vision 2047 plan for a developed Andhra Pradesh, aligning with the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" by 2047 initiative. The Chief Minister expressed his commitment to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a leading state in the nation by the centennial year of India's independence.

Key ally of Modi government

The TDP, with 16 MPs, remains a crucial ally of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. In the recent Andhra Pradesh assembly elections, the TDP secured 135 seats, while the Jana Sena Party, led by Pawan Kalyan, won 21 seats, and the BJP garnered eight seats.

In a social media post following his last meeting with PM Modi, Naidu expressed optimism about the state's future, stating, "I am confident that under his leadership, our state will re-emerge as a powerhouse among states."