Naidu cautions Ministers against complacency after local poll victory

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan shake hands before attending a Cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat in Velagapudi, Amaravati on Tuesday.

Setting the 2029 Assembly elections as the next major political target, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has cautioned Ministers against becoming complacent following the NDA’s emphatic victory in the local body elections and urged them to focus on governance and fulfilling the government’s promises.

At a Cabinet meeting chaired by him in Amaravati on Tuesday, Mr. Naidu advised Ministers to remain restrained and vigilant, stressing that the electoral success should increase their responsibility towards the people.

He said the government was striving to strike a balance between development and welfare, and that every initiative should translate into tangible benefits for the public. He also called for steps to bring down the prices of essential commodities, particularly rice, while noting that vegetable prices had declined.

Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar said rice was being sold at subsidised prices through Rythu Bazaars to provide relief to consumers.

Mr. Naidu asked Ministers to gear up for the cooperative society elections, which would follow the panchayat polls, and said the government should subsequently focus on development.

Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar informed the Cabinet that electricity personnel from Karnataka and Telangana had extended considerable assistance in restoring power supply following cyclones Arnab and Murasu. The assistance came after Mr. Naidu sought support from the two State governments.

The meeting began on a celebratory note, with Ministers congratulating Mr. Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on the NDA’s victory in the local body elections. The two leaders exchanged a handshake before entering the Cabinet hall, where they were greeted by Ministers with applause.