In his heyday as the ‘computer-savvy’ chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu was the darling of right-wing publications such as Economist. He puffed up whenever they published kind notices of him and in turn they rushed to shower on him awards and invitations to ‘leadership summits’.
But what would they think of him now as he peddles free colour TVs and cash payouts?
Economist, the most unapologetic of right-wing publications, once saw Naidu as the hope of the nation as he propped up the BJP at the Centre and promoted every pro-market legislation and policy during 1998-2004.
Here’s what the Economist said of Chandrababu Naidu in August 2000 (http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_PVQNTN):
“In a country still weaning itself away from socialism, Mr Naidu embodies the idea that reform is not a conspiracy against the poor but the best way to help them. He has an appealing vision of business, technology, enlightened bureaucrats and the energies of common people together improving welfare, and has gone some way towards implementing it.”
And here’s what the magazine says in its March 12, 2009 issue (http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13278390) when it met the same man, now a competitive populist:
“Forsaking his famed reformism, Mr Naidu is… matching the open-handed populism of his rival. The TDP has promised a massive and seemingly unaffordable cash transfer to families either side of the poverty-line, and a colour television to every family below it. Asked about this proposal, Mr Naidu concedes an embarrassed laugh.”
Covering the election in AP, the Economist concedes the current state government seems less unpopular than its predecessor was:
“With fat revenues from the computer-services industry in Hyderabad, the state capital, and sales of state-owned land, it has poured money into irrigation and other development.”
While acknowledging that second-guessing Indian voters is a mug’s game, the magazine says “it is thought that Congress may keep power in AP, despite losing some seats in he state legislature. It is also predicted to win over 20 of AP’s parliamentary seats.”
But what would they think of him now as he peddles free colour TVs and cash payouts?
Economist, the most unapologetic of right-wing publications, once saw Naidu as the hope of the nation as he propped up the BJP at the Centre and promoted every pro-market legislation and policy during 1998-2004.
Here’s what the Economist said of Chandrababu Naidu in August 2000 (http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_PVQNTN):
“In a country still weaning itself away from socialism, Mr Naidu embodies the idea that reform is not a conspiracy against the poor but the best way to help them. He has an appealing vision of business, technology, enlightened bureaucrats and the energies of common people together improving welfare, and has gone some way towards implementing it.”
And here’s what the magazine says in its March 12, 2009 issue (http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13278390) when it met the same man, now a competitive populist:
“Forsaking his famed reformism, Mr Naidu is… matching the open-handed populism of his rival. The TDP has promised a massive and seemingly unaffordable cash transfer to families either side of the poverty-line, and a colour television to every family below it. Asked about this proposal, Mr Naidu concedes an embarrassed laugh.”
Covering the election in AP, the Economist concedes the current state government seems less unpopular than its predecessor was:
“With fat revenues from the computer-services industry in Hyderabad, the state capital, and sales of state-owned land, it has poured money into irrigation and other development.”
While acknowledging that second-guessing Indian voters is a mug’s game, the magazine says “it is thought that Congress may keep power in AP, despite losing some seats in he state legislature. It is also predicted to win over 20 of AP’s parliamentary seats.”
No comments:
Post a Comment