Two years ago, he was like any other youngster — loved watching and playing cricket, hanging out with friends and pampered by parents. But life crumbled down for K Rammohan Naidu when his father and TDP senior leader Yerran Naidu passed away in an accident.
The responsibility of his father’s supporters and the love of people brought him into politics. The 28-year-old is now contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Srikakulam constituency and if voted to power, he will be one of the youngest MPs from the state. In an interview with Express, Rammohan Naidu speaks about his responsibilities, being a political novice, love of people and his winning prospects.
Your father Yerran Naidu was a phenomenal leader with a huge following, while you are a complete novice in politics. Was it difficult to shoulder the responsibilities passed on by him?
Except for primary classes in school, all my studies were outside the state and even abroad to a large extent. Hence, many people did not even know that Yerran Naidu had a son. But the moment I came into public life following his demise, they have been very kind to me.
How has the public response been during your campaign? What are your winning prospects?
It has been very positive. People have been treating me like their family member. I worked hard to build a bond with people for more than a year and they are happy that youngsters like me are joining politics to serve them. I admit the fact that if I were to win, it would be because of my father Yerran Naidu and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
As a leader who does not have political experience, why should people vote you. What is your USP?
When people go for a job, companies ask for experience. It is the same thing anywhere. But politics is not just about experience as it deals with your bonding with people. I did not come to people straight away asking them to vote for me. I worked for more than a year for the party and served the people. People tell me that I have my father’s qualities. I also have good education. I studied engineering and management courses at under-graduation and post-graduation levels which includes study abroad. I travelled all around the world and these experiences have helped me understand people.
You have been touring the district. What, according to you, are the major issues in Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency?
Agriculture is a priority sector as 70 per cent of the people in the district depend on it for a livelihood. But it requires irrigation water for cultivation which demands immediate attention. Despite having adequate natural resources to supply necessary irrigation water for two crops without any trouble, we are not able to tap them. The water from Vamsadhara river itself is sufficient to meet the water requirements of the entire district if we there is proper channelisation. We can have two-three small projects per mandal, instead of focusing on huge projects that require lot of funds and takes a long time for their implementation, my plan is to develop an irrigation and drinking water system using the Vamsadhara, Mahendra Tanaya, Nagavali rivers. Fishing is another major job provider. We want to develop a fishing harbour near Bhavanapadu and development of Kalingapatnam port is also in the pipeline. Once voted to power, TDP will take up these projects.
How do you plan to address the problem of migration? You were also talking about setting up new industries. But there has been severe resistance from people. How do you plan to sort out these issues?
People are migrating to other districts or states not just due to lack of job opportunities but also due to lack of proper health and educational facilities. Once we improve the facilities and provide more job opportunities by setting up new industries, Srikakulam is bound to see lot of activity. With regard to industries, we need to bring people under the same platform for convincing them. Industrialisation can be encouraged only with people’s participation. Environmental issues are definitely a major concern but we need to prepare a contingency plan to protect it.
You had fissures in the BJP-TDP alliance in regard to Itchapuram Assembly constituency. Will it have any affect on your winning chances?
People are bound to make sacrifices in poll alliances between two parties. At the same time, it is important to ensure victory keeping in view the goodwill of the people and national interest. The BJP wanted to have at least one candidate per district but when our party cadre proposed a candidate with better winning prospects, they were kind enough to withdraw. We are not against giving ticket to the BJP but wanted to ensure our victory. Except for it, there are no major disagreements with between both the parties.
In fact, the voters who wanted to vote for the BJP at the Centre now have a choice and can do so by voting for TDP which would not have been possible without an alliance. One has to remember that the BJP has got nation-wide edge with Modi at the helm. UPA government’s scams and corruption, prompted people to think seriously to vote for BJP.