Chandrababu Naidu: Architect of Cyberabad and Political Maverick

Nara Chandrababu Naidu was born on April 20, 1950, in Naravaripalle, Andhra Pradesh.

He completed his schooling in his village and later graduated with a Master’s degree in Economics from Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupati.

Naidu began his political career as a member of the Indian National Congress (INC). He was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1978 from the Chandragiri constituency.

At the age of 28, Naidu became the youngest minister in the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, serving under Chief Minister T. Anjaiah. He was appointed as the Minister of Technical Education and Cinematography.

In 1982, Naidu joined the newly formed Telugu Desam Party (TDP), founded by his father-in-law, N.T. Rama Rao (NTR). He played a crucial role in the party's early success and organizational structure.

Naidu quickly emerged as a key strategist within the TDP. He was instrumental in mobilizing support for NTR and the party, particularly during the 1983 state elections when the TDP won a landslide victory.

Chandrababu Naidu became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the first time in 1995, following a political coup within the TDP that ousted NTR. He served as Chief Minister until 2004.

During his tenure, Naidu was known for his emphasis on information technology and infrastructure development. He transformed Hyderabad into a major IT hub, attracting global tech companies and earning the city the nickname "Cyberabad."

Naidu returned to power as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, after the bifurcation of the state and the creation of Telangana. He focused on the development of the new capital city, Amaravati.

Naidu has been a significant player in national politics, forming alliances with various parties. He was a key member of the United Front coalition in the 1990s and later aligned with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP.

Despite his successes, Naidu faced setbacks, including the TDP’s defeat in the 2004 and 2019 state elections. These losses were attributed to various factors, including anti-incumbency and internal party dynamics.

Naidu implemented several welfare programs aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers, women, and marginalized communities. His initiatives included subsidized food grains, health insurance schemes, and financial aid for farmers.

Naidu is married to Bhuvaneswari, the daughter of N.T. Rama Rao. They have a son, Nara Lokesh, who is also active in politics.