Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP leader Nara Chandrababu Naidu made a frank confession in Monday’s Assembly session, admitting his own contribution to the party’s loss in the 2004 and 2019 elections. In a rare case of self-reflection, he freely conceded that it was his own failure, not anything outside, that led to TDP’s loss in these important polls.
Chandrababu remembered that in 2004 and 2019, the TDP entered the elections in power. In 1999, the party was in the same situation but won a crushing majority, and he was able to remain as Chief Minister. If TDP had retained power in 2004, he would have registered a historic hat-trick as CM. But the leadership of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy helped the Congress to capture the seat of power from TDP. The same thing happened in 2019 when the ruling party was badly defeated by YSRCP.
Reflecting on these election losses, Chandrababu admitted that he had often wondered why TDP, despite being in power and working among the people actively, could not win the elections. He conceded that his single-minded passion for governance caused him to neglect co-ordination with party leaders and MLAs, which eventually affected the prospects of the party. He also stressed that ensuring long-term solutions to public problems is essential for political success over the long term.
By accepting entire responsibility for the losses of TDP in both these critical polls, Chandrababu Naidu’s straightforward admission has given rise to intensive debate among politicians. His very rare admission took many by surprise and has ushered in talks regarding leadership, strategy, and governance in politics.