Naidu rekindles 1995-era governance in his fourth term as Chief Minister

metro india news  I hyderabad

Nearly three decades after he first rose to power with an agenda of reform and hands-on administration, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, now serving his fourth term as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is once again walking the familiar path he carved in 1995 — Prajalavaddaku Palana, (governance at the doorstep of the people.)

The approach, revolutionary during his first term, is now making a bold comeback in 2025. With a renewed mandate and a vision grounded in direct public interface, Naidu has hit the road — not from an air-conditioned convoy, but among the dusty village lanes and humble homes of everyday citizens.

When Naidu first assumed office in 1995, he was widely seen as a tech-savvy reformer. But beyond policy and IT-driven initiatives, he brought in an unexpected governance style: personal visits to villages, surprise inspections at government offices, and late-night reviews with district collectors. The goal was simple yet radical — to break bureaucratic inertia and make governance responsive to the common man. Fast forward to 2025, and the same Naidu is once again stepping into homes and local shops. 

On Ambedkar Jayanti, he visited the residence of Naveen, a member of the Scheduled Caste community, and spent time speaking with his family. The move was both symbolic and strategic — reinforcing his message of inclusivity and social equality.

In the same spirit, he dropped by the modest bike repair shop run by Praveen, a young mechanic trying to make ends meet. Naidu observed his tools, asked questions about customer footfall, and even discussed the difficulties small traders face in accessing proper tools and spare parts. He instructed the district collector to arrange for better tools and a permanent shed for the betterment of the beneficiary.

Perhaps the most striking image came from Ponnekallu village in Tadikonda constituency, where he engaged in conversation with a woman Burra Chinnammayi, who is operating a small-scale shop, locally known as a baddi kottu. After carefully listening to the woes of the woman, he immediately instructed the district collector to arrange a permanent shop for the woman and also arrange for pension. She was elated with a quick response from the Chief Minister and thanked him.

“My governance will once again reflect the same values and energy you saw in 1995. I believe in staying connected with the people. That’s where the real issues — and the real solutions — lie,” Naidu said during a press conference after getting elected as the Chief Minister for the fourth time.

In times where political leadership often appears distant, Naidu’s people-first outreach might just be the anchor that restores faith in governance — not through slogans, but through presence.