AP CM Naidu says PM Modi taking India towards developed nation status
Varanasi, Sept 17 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking India towards the league of developed nations and described his 25 years in public service as a significant milestone.
Addressing the Varanasi–Vadnagar Seva Sankalp Abhiyan programme here, organised to mark Modi’s 25 years in public service, Naidu said Modi believed that serving the people was equivalent to serving the nation.
Describing Varanasi as Modi’s karmabhoomi, Naidu said the constituency had elected him to the Lok Sabha three times and had given the country a leader.
Naidu highlighted various Central government initiatives, saying 25 crore people had come out of poverty and 80 crore people were receiving free foodgrains.
He said drinking water facilities had been extended to four crore households through schemes such as Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT, while PM-KISAN was benefiting 11 crore farmers through direct transfers.
He said India had strengthened its domestic capabilities in areas including defence production, space, drones, quantum technology, semiconductors and robotics.
India now had 2.20 lakh start-ups and ranked third among countries with strong start-up ecosystems, he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted government initiatives for women, including Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Lakhpati Didi, Ujjwala, Mudra and self-help groups.
He said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam providing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures would be significant.
Referring to India’s response to security challenges, Naidu cited Operation Sindoor and congratulated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
He also recalled his experience of confronting Naxalism and said the country had made progress in eliminating Naxalism and Maoism.
Naidu praised the completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and said the Andhra Pradesh government proposed to construct a Lord Venkateswara temple there.
He appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to allot 10 acres of land for the proposed temple.
On infrastructure, Naidu referred to the integrated power grid, Vande Bharat trains and the progress of bullet train projects.
He also called river interlinking an important pending task and referred to linking major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Ganga, Mahanadi, Cauvery and Godavari.
Recalling the Vibrant Gujarat initiative launched during Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2003, Naidu said it had developed into a global brand.
Referring to the recent BRICS Summit, he said India’s leadership had received international recognition.
He stressed that despite India’s diversity of cultures and languages, national development and self-reliance should remain common goals.
Naidu also said the NDA’s unity was a source of strength and that Andhra Pradesh was strengthening its partnership with the alliance.
He referred to Central support for projects including Amaravati and Polavaram.
The Varanasi–Vadnagar Seva Yatra was launched as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, connecting Varanasi, Modi’s parliamentary constituency, with Vadnagar, his birthplace.
Earlier, Naidu offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple along with Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Chirag Paswan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
TNT KS
