CM Chandrababu Highlights Poverty Reduction, Welfare Gains Under PM Modi

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said India is moving rapidly towards development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing poverty reduction, welfare programmes, infrastructure expansion and advances in technology as indicators of the country’s transformation. Naidu made the remarks while addressing the Varanasi-Vadnagar Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Beginning his speech in Hindi, Naidu said he was proud to stand on the sacred soil of Kashi and described the country’s transformation as “Desh badal raha hai, desh aage badh raha hai” and “Naya Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat.” He described Kashi as Modi’s karmabhoomi, noting that Modi had been elected from Varanasi to the Lok Sabha three times. According to Naidu, Varanasi had given the country not just an MP but a national leader.

Naidu said 25 crore people had come out of poverty during Modi’s tenure and that 80 crore people were receiving free foodgrains. He cited the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT for expanding drinking water access, while noting that PM-KISAN provides direct financial assistance to 11 crore farmers without intermediaries. He said these figures represented tangible changes in the lives of poor and middle-class families.

Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Naidu said India produced more than 200 crore vaccine doses and supplied vaccines free of cost to 101 countries. He credited Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat with strengthening domestic manufacturing and said India had moved from importing defence equipment towards exporting it.

He also highlighted emerging sectors such as space, drones, quantum technology, semiconductors and robotics, while pointing to the growth of the startup ecosystem. Naidu said initiatives including Lakhpati Didi, Ujjwala, MUDRA and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao were supporting women’s empowerment. He also referred to the 33% reservation for women in legislatures under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Naidu said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s military capabilities and congratulated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He also proposed constructing a Lord Venkateswara temple in Ayodhya and said Andhra Pradesh would seek 10 acres from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Highlighting infrastructure development, Naidu mentioned roads, railways, power networks and Vande Bharat trains. He also spoke about linking major rivers, including the Godavari, Ganga and Cauvery, to strengthen national development.

Naidu said Andhra Pradesh was strengthening the NDA partnership and acknowledged the Centre’s support for Amaravati and Polavaram projects. He concluded by calling for a collective commitment to building an “Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat, Viksit Bharat.”