A certain segment of the media consistently praised Chandrababu Naidu as the sole visionary figure in the known history of Andhra Pradesh, depicting all his opponents as agents of destruction for the state. However, a closer examination of recent events invites a comparison between Chandrababu Naidu and Jagan Mohan Reddy.
In an attempt to woo the farmers for giving their lands for the Amaravati project, some were sent on a special flight to Singapore, with the promise that Andhra Pradesh would soon resemble that prosperous city-state. These farmers enjoyed a pleasant foreign trip. It is a wonder to note what there was in Singapore to inspire farmers, given that the country imports almost all its vegetables and fruits due to limited agricultural space, despite a population of just 6 million.
In stark contrast, Jagan Mohan Reddy's government achieved a significant milestone by sending ten students (mostly girl students) from government schools to the United Nations, marking a historic moment for India.
These students, hailing from humble backgrounds, could hardly dream of traveling to the USA. Still, Jagan Mohan Reddy's government made it possible by selecting the most diligent students from rural schools. These students returned from their U.S. trip after participating in the United Nations, visiting prestigious institutions like Columbia University, the World Bank, and the IMF, and taking part in an International Youth Conference. They were chosen from a pool of 126 top-performing students through a competitive exam.
Upon their return, Jagan Mohan Reddy met with these students and encouraged them to aim for global excellence through education. He urged them to seek inspiration and share it with future generations. He also announced that if any government school student secured admission to one of the top 350 universities in the USA, the Andhra Pradesh government would cover the complete fees, amounting to up to Rs 1.2 crore, through the "Videsi Vidya Deevena" scheme. Such an opportunity for underprivileged students had never been offered before.
While YSRCP-backed students represented India admirably in international youth meetings in the USA, some TDP-supported children resorted to vulgar language and cursed the current CM during their speeches during the events held protesting CBN's arrest.
This stark difference between YSRCP and TDP's behavior became evident. However, some pro-TDP media outlets continued to portray TDP as the party of visionaries while characterizing YSRCP as destructive. Thankfully, people are becoming increasingly aware of the reality, causing even pro-TDP media to decline, much like the waning influence of the TDP and Chandrababu Naidu.
