CM CBN @ 30 Years: The Chanakya of Modern Politics

It has been exactly 30 years since Chandrababu Naidu first took oath as the Chief Minister on September 1, 1995, beginning with the words “Chandrababu ane nenu.” These three decades have been nothing short of remarkable for this veteran politician.

Starting out as a student leader at SV University in Tirupati, Chandrababu quickly rose through the ranks in Congress before moving to the TDP. His big break came when he became the Chief Minister three decades ago, and since then, his political journey has stood as a testament to resilience and vision.

Today, Chandrababu is not only one of the longest-serving chief ministers but also widely regarded as the most visionary and technologically advanced politician in the country.

In the past 30 years, he has served as CM for 15 years, a reflection of the trust the people of Andhra Pradesh have repeatedly placed in his leadership. He is also unique in having battled both Rajasekhar Reddy and his son Jagan at different points in his career.

Perhaps the most striking quality of Chandrababu is his phoenix-like spirit — his ability to rise stronger every time he is written off.

Throughout this long journey, he held important roles at both the state and national level. At one point, his influence in Delhi was so strong that he played the role of kingmaker, even recommending leaders like Abdul Kalam for the Presidency.

Perseverance, longevity, and an unshakable connect with the public have defined his 30-year journey as CM. The list of his contributions to united and later divided Andhra Pradesh is vast, covering development, reforms, and modernization.

His toughest phase came in 2019, when Jagan Mohan Reddy stormed to power with 151 seats. What followed was an unprecedented crackdown on Chandrababu and his party. For the first time in his career, he was even arrested and jailed for a significant period.

But true to his nature, he rose again returning as Chief Minister in 2024. This resilience and ability to reinvent himself is what makes his journey not just remarkable, but also inspiring for the newer generation.

Over the decades, Chandrababu earned the tag of the Chanakya of modern politics, with his sharp strategies, long-term vision, and unmatched ability to bounce back against all odds.