Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh meets Prime Minister

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday to request increased financial assistance for the debt-ridden state. This marked their first meeting since the Union Budget, during which Naidu expressed his gratitude for the Rs 15,000 crore allocated to the development of Andhra Pradesh’s new capital. Naidu detailed the state’s financial struggles and urged the central government to provide additional support to overcome fiscal challenges and stimulate economic growth.

Official data reveals that Andhra Pradesh’s public debt has escalated from 31.02% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2019-20 to 33.32% in 2023-24, highlighting a decline in the state’s fiscal health over the past five years. Naidu emphasized the need for central intervention to help stabilize the state’s economy and enhance its GDP. His appeal underscores the increasing financial strain faced by Andhra Pradesh and the necessity for robust central assistance.

As the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a significant ally in Prime Minister Modi’s NDA government with 16 Lok Sabha MPs, Naidu’s visit to the national capital is crucial. He is also expected to meet with Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to further discuss the state’s financial needs and seek additional support from the central government.