New Delhi. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital and described the discussions with him on key issues related to the state’s development as “constructive”. During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Naidu advocated increased central assistance in exchange for special status to Andhra Pradesh.
Sources said that the chief of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), an important ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, put forward several important proposals for the development of the state and sought the cooperation of the central government on these.
After the meeting, he expressed confidence in Andhra Pradesh’s ability to re-emerge as a ‘powerhouse among states’ under Modi’s leadership.
He said in a post on ‘X’, “Today I had a constructive meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss important issues related to the welfare and development of Andhra Pradesh. I am confident that under his leadership our state will once again emerge as a powerhouse among other states.” The PMO shared pictures of this meeting in a post on social media.
The Andhra Pradesh chief minister also met several Union ministers during his two-day visit to Delhi. He discussed national highway projects with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and praised the ‘spirit of cooperative federalism’ after talks with minister Piyush Goyal.
After meeting Gadkari, Naidu said, “I am confident that together we will take Andhra Pradesh further on the path of progress and prosperity.” After meeting Goyal, the Chief Minister said, “This wonderful spirit of cooperative federalism will help our state Andhra Pradesh to utilize its full potential. It was great to meet you in Delhi today.” Naidu also met Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to discuss specific issues related to the state.
Sources indicated that Naidu is also scheduled to meet several other Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Health Minister J P Nadda. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister’s Delhi visit is seen as significant in terms of garnering central support for the state’s development after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. Naidu’s engagement in the capital also underlines the importance of the TDP as an NDA ally and the state’s push for rapid development.