Chandrababu Naidu, often touted as one of the most senior politicians in India, has a unique and fascinating political journey marked by a pattern of alternating wins and losses. While he claims to be the most senior politician in the country, his record reveals a politician who has never won two consecutive elections.
This pattern has led to a captivating political debate about his ability to retain power. While he served as Chief Minister three decades ago, his tenure was broken up, spanning a total of fourteen years. If his current term is completed, he will achieve a significant milestone, becoming the only Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh to rule for two decades.
To understand why Chandrababu's success has been punctuated by defeats, it's helpful to compare him to other prominent politicians. YSR (YS Rajasekhara Reddy) won two consecutive terms as CM of Andhra Pradesh, while KCR (Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao) also became CM twice in Telangana. In other states, leaders like Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), and Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal) have all won multiple consecutive terms as Chief Ministers.
Chandrababu's first stint as CM began in 1995, inheriting power from his uncle, NTR, just eight months after his death. He won the next election in 1999, but many argue his victory was fueled by the popularity of Vajpayee due to the Kargil War and strategic alliances. His winning streak was broken in 2004, and he suffered another defeat in 2009.
He returned to power in 2014, becoming the first CM of Andhra Pradesh after the state's bifurcation. However, analysts argue that the Modi wave and Pawan Kalyan's popularity at that time contributed to his victory. His bid for re-election in 2019 was unsuccessful, with the TDP winning only 23 seats.
In the upcoming 2024 elections, Chandrababu has once again joined forces with Pawan Kalyan. While some political analysts believe that his pattern of winning one election and losing the next will continue, others argue that if he delivers on his promises, he could secure consecutive wins in 2029, finally breaking the cycle of alternating victories and defeats.
The changing political landscape, the influence of social media, and the unpredictable nature of Andhra Pradesh voters will all play a role in determining Chandrababu's future. Only time will tell if he can overcome his pattern of alternating wins and losses and establish himself as a truly successful politician.