High Expectations On Poor State’s CM

With the formation of a new government in Andhra Pradesh after the recent assembly elections, the focus now shifts towards development and welfare activities.

Incumbent Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu, who is representing the NDA alliance, will have his task cut out because of the high expectations and ambitious hopes for his governance among different social classes in the state.

The huge mandate will mean that Naidu will need to fulfill the aspirations of all sectors. It is going to be a herculean task for his government to balance both welfare and development in a debt-ridden state. From commoners to upper-class people, everyone is hoping for Naidu to deliver big this time.

From the perspective of common people, all hopes rest on the host of freebies promised in the manifesto by Naidu. Besides the revision in social security pensions from existing Rs 3000 to Rs 4000, which was already approved by the new government, schemes like free gas cylinders per household every year, free bus service for women, and a monthly allowance of Rs 1500 for every girl above 18 years are eagerly awaited by the people. Fulfilling some of these schemes will be very challenging for the government.

Coming to middle class people, all hopes are on reduction in prices of petrol and daily needs. Though there is no specific promise with regard to these aspects in the manifesto, Naidu vowed during the election campaign that his government wouldn’t hike the prices of gasoline and essential commodities like the previous dispensation. Also, the middle class is hoping for the lowering of various state taxes. Fulfilling these demands is not a difficult thing, given Naidu’s experience as Chief Minister in the past.

On the other side, many upper-class people are hoping that Naidu, with all his clout in the NDA government at the center this time, will bring special status to the state that will grant exemption from various taxes and separate incentives. They are optimistic that special status will give a boost to their businesses. Also, there is immense pressure on Naidu’s government to complete the capital city in the next few years.

So, there are huge expectations on the new government among different sections of the population. Whether Naidu can satisfy all of them or not will need to be watched out for in the coming days.