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The 2024 general elections in India taught many lessons to regional and national parties and their leaders. Some political parties, such as the BSP, BJD, AIADMK, and YSRCP experienced setbacks, while the BJP achieved a historic victory by forming its first government in Odisha.

Interestingly, the Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh have provided many lessons and directions for political parties and analysts.

Freebies alone will not make you win

In 2019, one month before the Lok Sabha elections, then-Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu distributed Rs 10,000 to each woman through the ‘Pasupu Kumkama’ scheme. However, voters rejected him, electing Jagan Mohan Reddy, who campaigned on the slogan “One Chance Please.” During his five-year tenure, Reddy focused heavily on direct cash transfers to the public, framing them as initiatives for the welfare of the poor. While these initiatives held some appeal, voters ultimately became dissatisfied, desiring more substantial actions to improve infrastructure, generate employment, attract investments, and drive overall development. Unfortunately, Reddy overlooked these concerns, placing excessive reliance on welfare politics. This ultimately led to his defeat in the 2024 general assembly elections.

People are against vendetta politics

Upon assuming office as chief minister, YS Reddy ordered the demolition of ‘Praja Vedika’, a government convention hall constructed during the previous Naidu administration, alleging illegal construction. The subsequent arrest of numerous Opposition leaders, including TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP state president, generated sympathy for the TDP. Personal attacks targeting actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and his party cadre across the state are believed to have contributed to his alliance with Chandrababu Naidu. Additionally, Jagan Reddy encouraged some of his leaders to attack opponents in an indecent manner. Notably, several of these YSRCP figures, known for using inflammatory language against Opposition leaders, faced defeat in the recent elections.

Politicians must recognise that the public is closely observing their actions and will hold them accountable in due course. The YS Vivekananda Reddy murder case cast a shadow of doubt and suspicion on the YSRCP leadership. While Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister, YS Sharmila, did not secure victory in her electoral debut in the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency this year, her statements created a narrative that YSRCP leadership is behind the murder of YS Vivekananda Reddy.

Hope for the young and meritorious people

Andhra Pradesh is notorious for its high-cost political landscape. MLA and MP candidates often spend tens of crores of rupees on campaigns, gifts, and even cash handouts to voters. This creates a significant barrier to entry for young, meritorious candidates who lack substantial financial resources. However, the recent election offered a glimmer of hope for such individuals, as voters elected many new faces to the Assembly, prioritising merit over financial influence. Despite widespread attempts to sway voters through monetary incentives, the electorate clearly demonstrated their preference for a different kind of leadership.

Authoritarian approach

Many political leaders prioritise public engagement while in Opposition, often embarking on yatras to connect with citizens. However, upon assuming power, some become less accessible, limiting interactions with both the public and their party workers. This shift can lead to perceptions of authoritarianism and detachment. Critics have levelled such charges against leaders like Jagan Reddy and KCR. Some even perceive Narendra Modi as exhibiting authoritarian tendencies, citing his strong leadership style. However, Modi leverages social media effectively to maintain a degree of public accessibility. Furthermore, he continues to engage with citizens through rallies and gatherings even outside of election cycles.

Due to disenchanted government employees and the control over the political affairs of the state by particular caste leaders, Naidu in 2019, KCR in 2023, and YS Jagan in 2024 saw significant losses.

Road ahead for the new government

Following his decisive victory, Chandrababu Naidu made a bold move by appointing 17 new faces to his 24-member cabinet, overlooking several senior figures like Kala Venkata Rao, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, C. Ayyannapatrudu, P. Pulla Rao, and D. Narendra. This decision suggests an effort to cultivate a new generation of leaders, potentially with an eye toward the political future of his son, Nara Lokesh. However, the new government faces a crucial question: will it prioritise pursuing a forward-looking agenda focused on progress and development, or will it be drawn into retaliatory actions against Jagan Reddy and his supporters? Focusing on retribution could alienate some segments of the electorate, while prioritising development and wealth creation might resonate more broadly with the public.

Andhra Pradesh’s per capita income lags behind neighbouring southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, partly due to the absence of major metropolitan cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. To bridge this gap, the new government will need to prioritise attracting investments, fostering a business-friendly environment, generating revenue, and potentially developing new urban cities. However, implementing Chandrababu Naidu’s ambitious “Super Six Guarantees” social welfare programs, as outlined in his party’s manifesto, will pose a significant challenge given the state’s current financial constraints. To fulfill his electoral promises, Naidu will have to concentrate on wealth creation.

The 2019 elections highlighted the importance of navigating national political dynamics, and Naidu appears to be taking a more pragmatic approach this time, recognising the need for a constructive relationship with the Central government to advance the state’s interests. Meanwhile, Jagan Reddy’s leadership style, perceived by some as heavy-handed and focused on political retribution, may have contributed to his electoral setback. In contrast, Chandrababu Naidu seems to be shifting away from a reliance on freebies and confrontational politics, aiming instead to foster an image of stability, development, and long-term growth—a strategy that could benefit both his party and his son’s political future.

The author is Dr. K. Venkatakrishna Rao, Assistant Professor, IIITDM, Kurnool and Visiting Fellow, India Foundation, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.