Many moons ago, a young dynamic Congress leader – Rajiv Gandhi – visited one of the most under developed states in India – Andhra Pradesh. The local fawning Congres leadership headed by Anjiah met him at the airport with garlands, fanfare, and an almost feudal tribute. Rajiv Gandhi – not the most mature of politicians – lost it and publicly insulted Anjiah. This was seen by many to be an insult to Andhra Pride. NTR launched the Telegu Desam Party in response – and the rest was history.

TDP has been winning elections term after term – and today Andhra Pradesh is the beacon of development for much of India. It’s Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, was considered by many pundits to be the role model leader. Progressive, delivering governance, modern yet traditional and allowing for overall development of the state. Hyderabad – the capital city – once known only for its’ Nizam heritage – began booming as the cyber capital of India

Yet today, as votes are being counted – it seems apparent that the TDP has been wiped out. A variety of reasons from bad rains, poor infrastructure, farmer suicides, anti-incumbency ,to the formation of Telengana. have contributed to this defeat. People punished a government that couldn’t provide Bijli Sadak and Pani. Nationality, gender, relgious orientation did not matter. The only issue was the economy.

The irony is that the defeat of the TDP is by the Congress. Sonia Gandhi’s Congress has won back a state lost by Rajiv Gandhi’s Congress.

I hope that Chandrababu Naidu finds a place in cabinet, no matter which alliance forms the government. He is too valuable an administrator to lose to the vagaries of political games.