On the last day of the election campaign for the Tamil Nadu elections, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged voters to back the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), arguing that only a “double-engine government” could accelerate growth and infrastructure in the State.

“This is a crucial time for Tamil Nadu. If you want rapid development, employment, and prosperity, support the NDA. Missing this opportunity could mean losing valuable years,” he appealed to voters at a press meet here on Tuesday. States need to compete with each other, and also need to cooperate with the Centre, he added.

Backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said his strong leadership and stable governance have made the difference for India’s growth.

Emphasising Tamil Nadu’s historical legacy, rich culture, and contribution to nation-building, Naidu questioned if the State had kept pace with emerging economic hubs such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru. “Tamil Nadu has produced some of the finest minds — from CV Raman and Srinivasa Ramanujan to APJ Abdul Kalam. But the question today is — are we leveraging that strength fully?” he asked.

Tamil Nadu has missed out to other States like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, with some of the brightest migrating to various places, and to countries, he added.

Highlighting infrastructure gaps in Tamil Nadu, Naidu pointed to airports and urban development, drawing comparisons with cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru. He said public-private partnerships (PPP) and proactive reforms were key to attracting investments and generating employment.

“Reforms are essential. If you resist reform, you risk stagnation. Wealth creation must precede welfare,” he said. Andhra Pradesh’s land-pooling model and recent investment inflows as examples of innovation-led development, he said.

On the contentious delimitation and women’s reservation issues, Naidu criticised opposition parties, including the DMK and the Indian National Congress, accusing them of creating “political apprehensions” and misleading the public. “No State will lose representation. This is the best possible formula balancing regional interests and women’s empowerment,” he argued.

On actor-politician Joseph Vijay and his political foray, Naidu refrained from detailed comments, stating that electoral performance and governance delivery would ultimately determine political credibility.

Published on April 21, 2026