Veteran politician and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has attributed the key difference between the BJP and the opposition to effective leadership.
In his first national television interview since extending support to the Narendra Modi 3.0 government, Naidu told NDTV, “The BJP has inspiring leadership. Prime Minister Modi is selecting leaders based on effectiveness and performance, even among the younger generation. That makes all the difference.”
Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) played a crucial role in helping the BJP form the government after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The TDP secured 16 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh and also won the simultaneous assembly polls in the state, returning Naidu to the Chief Minister’s post for a fourth term.
“The BJP leadership has dynamism,” Naidu noted, underscoring what he sees as a strategic edge for the ruling party.
While refraining from direct criticism of the opposition, Naidu subtly dismissed their performance when asked about their leadership: “Electoral wins are proof,” he said, hinting at the opposition’s inability to mount a successful electoral challenge to the BJP.
He also suggested that political parties must evolve with the times.
“There was a time when communists were very powerful. But after the economic reforms, what space do they have today?” he remarked.
Naidu’s observations carry weight, given his long and varied political journey.
Over the years, he has allied with parties across the spectrum — including the Congress and Left parties—and has also been a key ally of BJP-led governments, both during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s era and under Narendra Modi.
His remarks could serve as a cautionary note for the opposition, coming from a leader known for his astute political calculations and cross-party experience.
