Nara Chandrababu Naidu is a prominent political figure in Andhra Pradesh. He became the chief minister of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh for the first time in 1995 and served as the chief minister of the state till 2004.
Born on April 20, 1950 in Narewari Palle of Chittoor district, Chandrababu Naidu completed his M.A in Economics from Sri Venkateshwara University. He enrolled into a Ph.D programme. However, he discontinued his research and became active in student politics. As a student leader of Congress party, Babu played a key role in pacifying the youth during emergency time in this region due to which he became close to Indira Gandhi’s son Sanjay Gandhi.
Chandrababu Naidu started off his political career with Congress. He contested general elections on Congress ticket and won with an overwhelming majority in 1978. Babu served as minister of cinematograph in T Anjaiah’s cabinet, at the age of 28.
It was during his stint as cinematography minister, he got in touch with N T Rama Rao, the legendary film actor, producer, director and screenwriter. Impressed with his brilliance, NT Rama Rao solemnized wedding of his daughter Bhuvaneshwari with N Chandrababu Naidu.
When NTR formed Telugu Desam Party, Chandrababu Naidu was still with Congress and was defeated in the hands of TDP in 1983 elections. Soon, Babu was joined TDP.
In 1994, Chandrababu Naidu executed a coup against NT Rama Rao to oust him as the chief minister. He was successful in the attempt and was made the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Later, in 1999, he won the public mandate and continued till 2004.
Babu was hailed by various international economic figures for his vision 2020. He was primarily responsible in convincing international IT companies for investing in Hyderabad. However, his sole interest in urban development turned fruitful to Congress that banked upon farming issues and rose to power in 2004.
Chandrababu Naidu is the first chief minister of the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh. His name is recently surfaced in the alleged cash-for-vote scam of Revanth Reddy.
