AP CM Chandrababu Naidu praised PM Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public service at the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi, highlighting India’s development.
Varanasi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking India towards the league of developed nations, crediting his leadership with driving progress across multiple sectors.
Naidu was speaking at the Varanasi–Vadnagar Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi on Thursday, organised to mark Prime Minister Modi’s 25 years in public service.
Beginning his address in Hindi, Naidu said, “Aaj main Kashi ki pavitra dharti par khada hoon... yeh mere liye garv ka kshan hai.” He said India was changing and progressing, and invoked the vision of Naya Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
Naidu said Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency represented by Modi, was more than just his political constituency and described Kashi as the Prime Minister’s karmabhoomi.
Modi has been elected to the Lok Sabha from Varanasi three times, Naidu noted, adding that Kashi had not merely elected a leader for the constituency but had given the country a national leader.
Naidu said that under Modi’s leadership, 25 crore people had come out of poverty, while around 80 crore people were receiving free foodgrains.
He said initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT had expanded drinking water facilities to four crore households.
The Chief Minister also highlighted PM-KISAN, saying 11 crore farmers were benefiting through direct transfers to their bank accounts without intermediaries.
At a time when several countries were facing crises, Modi had provided leadership focused on protecting the interests of 140 crore Indians, Naidu said.
Naidu said India had produced 200 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses and supplied vaccines free of cost to 101 countries, describing it as an expression of humanitarian concern.
He said initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local had strengthened the Make in India concept.
India, which had earlier depended heavily on imports for defence equipment, had now reached a stage where it was exporting defence equipment, Naidu said.
He also highlighted emerging technologies including space technology, drones, quantum technology, semiconductors and robotics, saying they were creating new opportunities for young Indians.
Naidu said India's youth were increasingly moving beyond seeking employment towards creating employment.
He said the country now has 2.20 lakh startups and claimed that India ranks third among countries with strong startup ecosystems.
The Chief Minister also highlighted initiatives aimed at women’s welfare and empowerment, including Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao, Lakhpati Didi, Ujjwala and MUDRA.
He said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides for 33% reservation for women in legislatures, would bring significant change.
Naidu said India had emerged as a strong global power and cited Operation Sindoor as an example of the country’s response to security challenges.
He congratulated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the conduct of the operation.
Recalling his own experience of confronting Naxalism, Naidu said India had made significant progress in dealing with Naxalism and Maoism.
Naidu also spoke about the completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, describing it as the fulfilment of a long-pending aspiration.
He said the Andhra Pradesh government proposed to construct a Lord Venkateswara temple in Ayodhya and appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to allot 10 acres of land for the project.
The Chief Minister credited the Modi government with establishing an integrated power grid across the country.
He said connectivity had improved with the introduction of Vande Bharat trains, while bullet train projects were also progressing.
Naidu described river interlinking as an important pending task and said linking the Brahmaputra, Ganga, Mahanadi, Cauvery and Godavari could further strengthen India's development potential.
Referring to the recent BRICS Summit, Naidu said world leaders had expressed confidence in India's leadership.
He said India's diversity of cultures and languages was a strength, while development and self-reliance should remain common national goals.
Naidu outlined what he described as a development cycle: sustainability builds confidence, confidence attracts investment, investment creates employment, and employment contributes to development and improved living standards.
Naidu said completing 25 years in public service was a significant milestone for Prime Minister Modi.
Recalling the Vibrant Gujarat initiative launched when Modi was Gujarat Chief Minister in 2003, Naidu said it had developed into a global brand.
He said development under Modi's leadership had extended beyond cities to rural areas as well.
“Right time, right leader — Narendra Modi is leading the country towards development,” Naidu said.
Naidu said the unity of the NDA was a source of strength for the country and that Andhra Pradesh was strengthening the alliance partnership.
He said the state was receiving substantial support from the Centre and that the people of Andhra Pradesh would remember the Centre’s support for projects including Amaravati and Polavaram.
The Varanasi–Vadnagar Seva Yatra was organised 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.
