VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday minced no words in airing his opinion on US President Donald Trump. Citing the unconventional US President as an example, he said placing power in the hands of people like Trump was like handing a stone to a mad man.
Addressing a conference of mandal education officers, headmasters and principals at the Loyola College Grounds here, the Chief Minister, in between his lengthy speech elaborating on what his government was doing for the state and its people, veered to the topic of elections, albeit indirectly.
With elections for MLC teacher and MLC graduate constituencies ahead, Naidu reminded the teachers that they had two votes and sought their cooperation. He said though he had strived for the development of the State in 2004, he lost as teachers turned against him. “Now, I am trying to take teachers along with every development activity in the State,” he added. Without naming Leader of the Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy, the Chief Minister likened him to Donald Trump and said the US President was showing the world how power could be misused if placed in the hands of the wrong man. Though he blamed Trump, he praised practical education like in USA, saying it will help students acquire job-oriented skills.
The Chief Minister also explained his government’s accomplishments and the priority being given to the education sector. He further clarified that he had agreed to the special package in lieu of special status, keeping in mind the development of the State.
He reminded the teachers about his government's decision to increase their retirement age to 60 years, and said steps were being taken to fill up vacant MEO posts at the earliest. He also said his government had resolved the issue of municipal teachers, which had been pending for 30 years.
The meeting was also attended by higher officials of the education department, ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao, P Narayana, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Ravela Kishore Babu, MLCs and MLAs among others.