Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s much-publicised “Zero Poverty-P4” scheme, likely to be implemented from August 19, has kicked up a big debate in the media circles.
Senior journalist and Andhra Jyothy managing director V Radha Krishna, generally know for his pro-Chandrababu Naidu stand, came out, perhaps for the first time, with a sharp attack on the scheme in his weekly column on Sunday. He raised abouts its design, feasibility, and intent and exposed its flaws.
The P4 scheme - short for “Public-Private-People Partnership” - was pitched by Naidu as a transformative model that could eliminate poverty in the state by 2029.
The scheme assigns “mentors” (called Margadarsis) - individuals and organisations deemed financially stable - to support 11 lakh “golden families” identified as poor.
While it projects a vision of “zero poverty” through targeted interventions, analysts say its approach is impractical, coercive, and politically motivated.
Radha Krishna pointed out that philanthropy is inherently voluntary and cannot be made mandatory, but Naidu’s scheme has turned into an official programme, though the government says its role is minimal.
The plan allegedly pressures small business owners and even lower-level employees into serving as mentors, with targets imposed.
Reports suggest that around 26% of the selected “golden families” do not actually qualify under the poverty criteria.
Opponents argue that the initiative is less about sustainable poverty alleviation and more about political diversion - a Naidu hallmark since programmes like “Janmabhoomi” and “Real-Time Governance.”
The scheme, they claim, allows MLAs excessive control, potentially turning constituencies into “fiefdoms” akin to the alleged centralisation.
Now, analysts are wondering whose crazy idea this P4 scheme is.
According to some TDP sources, it was originally the idea of popular political strategist and founder of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) Prashant Kishor, who is presently engaged in Bihar politics.
“Prashant Kishor is learnt to have come up with this idea to engage the MLAs and make them involve in the public outreach programmes. Apparently, Prashant Kishor felt that even if 20% of the scheme becomes a success, it will fetch big mileage to the government,” sources said.
Another TDP leader said the P4 scheme is the brainchild of former vice-chairman of AP Planning Board C Kutumba Rao, who designed the concept and convinced Naidu to take up in a big way.
Analysts also note that Naidu is pushing such headline projects at a time when he faces unfulfilled promises and needs to maintain public distraction until the next elections.
“This is purely a political gimmick. It raises doubts about its true purpose and beneficiaries. If it doesn’t work out, it will severely boomerang on the Naidu government,” another analyst added.
