Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who completed one month in office last week, is not a very happy man.
The reason: although there is no negative feedback from the people towards his government, there is not much positive response either. The initial euphoria seen in the first few days of his rule seems to be missing.
This sentiment was reflected in Naidu’s interaction with his cabinet colleagues during an informal chat after the completion of the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
According to sources, Naidu attributed this situation to a lack of adequate publicity for the decisions being taken by the state government.
“We are not able to effectively communicate to the people the good work done by the government. On the other hand, the negative propaganda of the YSR Congress party on social media is quickly reaching the people,” Naidu reportedly told his cabinet colleagues.
Apparently, Naidu is feeling the pressure of not implementing all his "Super Six" guarantees immediately after coming to power.
With the state's financial position being critical, the new government is struggling to find resources to implement the promises.
In the first month, Naidu was able to make a good start by paying enhanced pensions to various beneficiaries, but he knows it will be difficult to sustain this from the next month onwards.
The Chief Minister asked his cabinet colleagues to effectively counter the YSRCP’s mudslinging on social media.
“First of all, you should not give scope for any corruption at the grassroots level, and you should not allow your family members to interfere in official matters,” he said.
Sources said Naidu is considering engaging a media consultancy firm to effectively communicate the government's good work, policies, and programs to the people, as well as to counter the opposition's criticism.
The Chief Minister also reportedly felt that officials in several departments, who were accustomed to swindling public money in the past, are not cooperating with the higher authorities who are investigating alleged irregularities from the last five years.
Naidu suggested that special committees be constituted to probe the involvement of officials at all levels in corrupt deals over the last five years.
“Let us take concrete action only after ascertaining the facts, lest it would demoralize the administration,” he reportedly said.
