Naidu calls his arrest a career turning point

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described his recent arrest as a pivotal moment in his political journey. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi on Saturday, he said the incident had strengthened his resolve and focus. “I was arrested without notice, but this experience has only reinforced my determination to serve the people,” he remarked.
Naidu highlighted his commitment to public policies and decorum throughout his career. He attributed the TDP’s recent success in Andhra Pradesh to growing public dissatisfaction with the previous government, which paved the way for a coalition with the BJP and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party.
Reflecting on his party’s role in national politics, Naidu recalled TDP’s support for governments led by VP Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He emphasised the importance of consensus in coalition governments and reaffirmed the TDP’s commitment to fostering unity among diverse political perspectives.
Naidu praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “strong and progressive leader” and lauded his governance for achieving a 7.58% growth rate and bolstering India’s global reputation. He also reminisced about his efforts during Vajpayee’s tenure to deregulate the telecom sector, laying the foundation for India’s IT boom.
Highlighting the success of Telugu professionals globally, Naidu noted that 30% of India’s top tech achievers hail from Andhra Pradesh, underscoring the region’s leadership in the sector.  The TDP chief also raised concerns over the misuse of social media, calling for a debate on accountability and regulation to prevent misinformation, harassment, and targeted attacks. “Social media has become highly vulnerable, and safeguarding its use is crucial,” he asserted.