Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday criticised the DMK for opposing the Women’s Reservation Bill, calling it an injustice to women, and pitched the NDA’s development model during his campaign visit to Tamil Nadu.
Naidu, who is on a two-day visit to the state to campaign for NDA candidates, addressed industrialists and business leaders in Coimbatore and held interactions with party workers and supporters.
Stepping up his attack on the opposition, Naidu accused parties in the INDIA bloc, including the DMK and Congress, of blocking key reforms. “You have to understand that 50% of the population are women You don’t want reservations for women?” he said, questioning their opposition to the Women’s Reservation Bill.
He also raised concerns around delimitation, stating that southern states’ proportional representation had been protected in the past and should continue to be safeguarded.
NO WELFARE WITHOUT WEALTH: NAIDU
Speaking to India Today, Naidu questioned welfare-driven politics without economic growth, arguing that sustainable welfare depends on wealth creation.
“Without creating wealth, how can you generate revenue? And without revenue, what right do you have to share wealth or give freebies?” he said.
He added that development leads to wealth creation, which in turn increases revenue that can be used for welfare and empowerment. “Some people are promoting only welfare without development. It can’t sustain,” he said.
‘DOUBLE ENGINE’ PITCH FOR TAMIL NADU
Making a case for the NDA, Naidu said a “double engine” government — alignment between the Centre and the state — ensures faster development and higher investments.
He cited Andhra Pradesh as an example and urged voters in Tamil Nadu to support NDA allies, including the AIADMK and BJP, to accelerate growth and restore the state’s economic strength.
CULTURAL LINK, DEVELOPMENT PUSH
Highlighting shared cultural roots, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are connected through a common Dravidian heritage. He praised Tamil culture and icons such as Subramania Bharati, Thiruvalluvar, CV Raman and APJ Abdul Kalam.
He also recalled the Telugu Ganga project initiated during the tenure of N T Rama Rao, which supplied water to Chennai, and suggested that interlinking rivers like the Godavari and Cauvery could benefit the state.
Naidu addressed parts of his speech in Tamil, greeting the audience and noting that he was celebrating his birthday in the state. NDA candidates, including Vanati Srinivasan and others from Coimbatore and nearby constituencies, were present at the event.
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