Gutsy Naidu stands by the aggrieved

KUNDUKURU: Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the long-time President of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Nara Chandrababu Naidu, unlike most leaders in the country, hasn't missed an opportunity to go one-on-one with the people. This act of his to instill hope and extend support to people, propaganda or his personality - undetermined, though, makes him stand out from the rest of the leaders in the race.

Back when it was the TDP regime in Undivided Andhra Pradesh, be it minutely visiting drought-hit areas of the State, or being the first among leaders to reach the religious places that were bombed in the early 2000s in coastal districts or be it the very recent 2022 floods, Chandrababu personally visited and consoled the affected.

On Thursday, Chandrababu Naidu visited the houses of everyone who died in a stampede that happened during his rally on Wednesday. Apart from the Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia that the Former Chief Minister announced, him personally visiting the families, where there are chances that families might blame him for their loss, is quite gutsy.

Various people from the TDP and other supporters of Chandrababu Naidu raised Rs 24 lakh to donate to the bereaved families. While the contribution of the TDP workers was Rs 15 lakhs, 11 more donors gave Rs 9 lakhs.

Being inaccessible has never been a complaint on Chandrababu Naidu, whether in power or out of it. Be it in the ruling party or the opposition, he made sure he was in the public - except during COVID.

"I have come here to pay tributes to the deceased persons and the TDP will stand by their family members. The party will take the responsibility of bearing the expenses for the education of the children of those who died in Wednesday's incident," Chandrababu Naidu said.

The TDP supremo said that the founder of the TDP N T Rama Rao and the BJP's top leader L K Advani also held such rallies. "Whichever leader comes to a place, it is the duty of the local police to oversee the law and order. I am not blaming anyone but the Kandukur police would have taken the necessary precautionary measures," Chandrababu said.