From neoliberal icon to Top of the Sops?

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 11 Mar 2009 01:50:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Mar 2009 03:10:36 PM IST

HYDERABAD: Till 2004, he was the face of the neoliberalism that had the entire country in its vice-like grip. And in line with the insidious corporate culture that had crept into politics, CEO of Andhra Pradesh was how he liked to style himself.

After five years in the Opposition, and in view of the shambles that capitalist market mantras have left the entire world in, and the country in particular, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu is now projecting himself as the poster boy of poverty alleviation.

During his nine-year stint as Chief Minister, Naidu opposed sops tooth and nail. Now, he is talking of poverty, hunger and food security.

What brought about this change of heart? Naidu’s TDP, which was the battering ram for market fundamentalism in the State, faced the wrath of all sections of society. What perhaps hit it hardest was that the party’s vote bank of BCs got alienated. The power tariff hike and subsequent agitations did further damage.

After the humiliating defeat in the 2004 elections, in which the TDP secured 46 Assembly seats, the lowestever in the 20-year history of the party, Naidu read the writing on the wall.

The TDP began consulting economists untainted by market orthodoxy and agricultural scientists like MS Swaminathan. The party honcho is also said to have read up on Amartya Sen.

Out went the wisdoms spouted in his “Plain Speaking”. That book, however, has come back to haunt him, with its follies serving as cannon fodder for rivals.

However that may be, the new Naidu has promised free rice and power to farmers, artisans and weavers. And, drawing inspiration from politicians in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, he has even promised colour TVs to the poor.

But even after this flood of assurances -- nearly 200 are said to have issued forth to date -- TDP leaders still harbour doubts whether these assurances will sway the voters.

Taking the cake is Naidu’s plan to distribute cash to the poor and the middle classes after elections. This is obviously inspired by the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme which proved a success in Latin American countries, and Naidu has dubbed it Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) “Hunger, malnutrition, child labour are the main issues before us. The CTS is the panacea for all these evils,” Naidu, who as chief minister had not issued a single white ration card, now swears.

Whether his new avatar will help Babu regain power remains to be seen.

But TDP leaders are happy with the perceptible change in Naidu, which has moved the party closer to the Left.