- Tiny help, massive hype: Babu’s welfare visits mirror cinematic setups
- One house a month – What about the rest of the poor in Andhra Pradesh?
- Super Six & 143 promises still unfulfilled
- Dalit outreach or political opportunism?
- YS Jagan’s silent governance Vs. Babu’s loud publicity
- Rs. 2.73 Lakh Cr in DBT during YSRCP rule
In Andhra Pradesh’s current political narrative, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is transforming welfare into mere theatrics, echoing the style of mainstream Telugu cinema. Much like how filmmakers focus all attention on the protagonist, critics allege that Naidu’s monthly pension distribution visits are meticulously staged events meant only for publicity, sidelining real governance.
Every month, the Chief Minister visits a selected village to personally hand over pensions to a beneficiary. However, these visits are reportedly staged with high-definition camera setups and strict access controls, ensuring that only scripted interactions are broadcast. Local residents and neighboring households are allegedly kept at bay during the filming, drawing parallels to a controlled film shoot rather than an inclusive public service program.
One family a month – Is that enough?
Over a five-year term (60 months), if the CM visits only one house each month, can that possibly address the needs of the lakhs of poor families across the state? Critics question the practicality and intent behind these highly-publicized visits, calling them “publicity stunts” that fail to address the broader socio-economic issues.
Despite promises of “Super Six,” “Super Seven,” and 143 assurances during the elections, the opposition alleges that Chandrababu’s government has failed to deliver substantively. These monthly “welfare dramas,” amplified across pro-TDP TV channels and newspapers, are seen as image-building exercises rather than genuine public service.
Selective Sympathy for Dalits?
On Ambedkar Jayanti, Naidu visited Ponnekallu in Tadikonda and declared Ambedkar “a leader for all.” Yet, YSRCP leaders argue that his actions contradict his words. They point to his government’s demolition of the Ambedkar Smriti Vanam in Vijayawada and question why Chandrababu has never publicly visited the grand statue site despite its visibility in the city center.
Moreover, they highlight his failure to lay even a symbolic brick for an Ambedkar statue during his 2014-19 tenure, unlike the YSRCP government, which invested nearly ₹400 crores in constructing the memorial. Allegations of backstabbing the Dalit community and past insensitive remarks still echo in public memory.
What happened to Praja darbar?
Naidu’s government once announced a “Praja Darbar” initiative to listen to citizen grievances. However, the program quickly faded without genuine follow-up, raising questions about the TDP’s sincerity in engaging with the public beyond press coverage.
YS Jagan’s results over rhetoric
Unlike Chandrababu’s publicity-focused governance, former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy emphasized silent service. Without media spectacle, he facilitated direct financial assistance, often ensuring that aid reached beneficiaries even before he returned from district tours. During his tenure, the state saw ₹2.73 lakh crore disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), benefitting countless poor households across the state.
Political analysts say that while Chandrababu performs for the cameras, YS Jagan delivers results on the ground. They argue that genuine governance lies in service, not in spectacle.
