Naidu, a born fighter, rose from ground zero

Hyderabad : The year 2014 would be the most memorable year for Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. From a being leader, who was virtually written off from the political scene of the State, Naidu rose like a phoenix to capture power in the bifurcated State.

Even his die-hard supporters did not imagine that Naidu would capture power in the politically polarized atmosphere, as the odds were heavily in favour of YSR Congress Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy who was riding on a sympathy factor.

But Naidu fought against all odds to return to power for the third term, though for a residuary State with just 13 districts. The heightened concerns among the Seemandhra people about their future and over the formation of a new capital in the bifurcated AP State and its development turned into a wave of support for the TDP and forced the people to vote for Naidu.

As a result, Naidu won with a thumping majority by winning 103 assembly seats and 16 MP seats in alliance with BJP and with the support of Telugu film star Pawan Kalyan who floated Jana Sena Party (JSP).

As precursor to the elections Naidu undertook a whirlwind election campaign to drive home the point of need to have an experienced and visionary leader like him to develop AP in all fields.

His slogan 'Jabu kaavalante Babu raavali' (If you want a job, Babu should be voted to power) attracted the unemployed youth, who were left in lurch after the bifurcation. His novel election campaign convinced the people to elect as their leader for steering the new State on the path of development.

However, after assuming charge as the Chief Minister of the State, Naidu felt the heat of his promises as he failed to deliver on his promises like loan waiver to farmers and provision of jobs to the unemployed youth of the state on time and .

Naidu, however, succeeded in steering the state out of the dreaded power crisis by taking steps in advance. He also launched 24-hour continuous power supply to domestic sector of the State. The way Naidu handled the relief operations in the north coastal districts affected by devastating cyclone Hudhud has won accolades for him.

Now, he is focusing on land pooling for the construction of a new capital region around Vijayawada with the support of Singapore and Japan. On the political front, too, Naidu has been able to successfully outplay Jaganmohan Reddy and compel many of the YSR Congress party leaders to join the TDP.

However, the TDP is fast losing ground in the Telangana region though Naidu is putting up a brave front and claiming that his party would come to power in Telangana, too, in 2019.