FRESH SIGNALS OF DISSENT BY NAIDU: WAITING FOR BIHAR POLLS
NEW DELHI: In a move that could spell deeper fissures within the NDA alliance, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has written a strongly worded letter to the Centre, expressing concern over the adverse impact of the recent US tariff hike on Andhra’s shrimp and fisheries sector.
The letter, addressed to the Modi government, urges urgent intervention to protect the interests of farmers in coastal regions which depend heavily on seafood exports.
Naidu’s letter comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained a studied silence on the US move, even as it poses serious economic implications for India’s aquaculture sector—particularly in Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for a major share of shrimp exports.
This development is being viewed by political observers as yet another indicator of growing unease between the TDP and the BJP-led NDA. This is the second such instance in recent weeks.
Earlier, Naidu had openly expressed discomfort with the Centre’s controversial Special Electoral Revision (SIR) initiative in Bihar, which has been sharply criticised by the opposition for allegedly altering voter rolls in a politically sensitive state just ahead of assembly elections.
Over the past month, Naidu has reportedly raised concerns on at least six key policy issues, suggesting a visible departure from the once tightly knit alliance dynamics. His cautious yet strategic positioning is being seen as a signal to both the BJP and opposition forces that the TDP may be weighing its future political alignments.
Sources close to the Andhra CM reveal that Naidu is “closely monitoring” the political landscape, especially the upcoming Bihar assembly polls slated for November. “Naidu will take a calibrated stand on extending future support to the Modi government only after the Bihar results are out,” a top TDP functionary confirmed to this correspondent.
Political analysts believe Naidu’s recent moves reflect a broader trend among regional allies of the NDA who are increasingly assertive about their autonomy in policy matters. “He is clearly trying to position himself as a regional satrap who listens to the ground realities rather than toeing the Delhi line blindly,” said a senior political observer based in Hyderabad.
With Andhra Pradesh’s farming and aquaculture community already grappling with challenges like rising input costs, export constraints, and erratic climate patterns, the US tariff hike has added to their woes. Naidu’s swift response appears designed not just to protect farmer interests but also to reinforce his image as a proactive and responsive administrator.
While no direct confrontation has occurred yet between Naidu and Modi, the growing divergence on key issues may set the stage for a more complex relationship within the NDA as the 2025 political calendar unfolds.
With Bihar polls poised to set the tone for national alignments ahead of the 2026 general elections, all eyes are now on Chandrababu Naidu—arguably the most seasoned and calculating player in the NDA stable—to see which way he eventually tilts.
[Writer is a Senior Journalist and Political Commentator]
