GES 2017 And Chandrababu Naidu

Kommineni Srinivasa Rao

Hyderabad hosted one of the most prestigious events we have seen in recent years--the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) and it is indeed unfortunate that Andhra Pradesh could not find a place in this landmark event. One can only conclude that it is because AP seemingly forfeited its right to Hyderabad being a shared or joint capital of both the states that led to this sad state of affairs. The city was declared as the joint capital of both the states at the time of the bifurcation of the state.

Accordingly, AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu spent crores of rupees to renovate the secretariat building here, as also the Lake View Guest House, but after getting exposed in the notes-for-votes case, it is reported that Chandrababu Naidu struck a deal with KCR and left Hyderabad in a hurry, lock, stock and barrel, as it were. Before this episode and its fallout, Chandrababu Naidu would brag about the right AP enjoyed over Hyderabad and would even boast of the deployment of AP police in the joint capital under Article 8 of the Constitution. Later, he left Hyderabad without a whimper, claiming that he wanted to live in Andhra Pradesh, as if he felt very genuinely about it. That is another matter altogether.

Chandrababu Naidu has thus far toured thirteen countries in the name of investments and building the new state capital. After having spent long spells abroad, he is likely to visit South Korea soon. It can be said that Chandrababu Naidu is competing with Prime Minister Modi in this respect. While any right-thinking individual would welcome investments, to what extent his overseas tours are fetching any investments is yet unclear. The political and industrial climate should be favourable in order to attract investments.

Chandrababu Naidu, for some strange reason, harps on Singapore alone. Thus,he has given unfettered freedom to Singapore under the Swiss Challenge system, allowing them to conduct real estate business and allotting land as well. There is no mention of any other major investment in Andhra Pradesh. The GES 2017 had representatives from 150 countries and many of them could well be serious investors.

The presence of Ivanka Trump, the US President's daughter and his official Adviser, was not only a special attraction, but lent a lot of importance and substance to the summit. Chandrababu Naidu turned a Nelson's eye to GES 2017, which was a loss to Andhra Pradesh, as well as an insult to the state.The Centre is also to be blamed for this, because it never tried to drive home the point that Hyderabad was a joint capital and that both the Telugu states needed to function in coordination.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhara Rao and Chandrababu Naidu have been reasonably civil to each other in recent times. However, KCR did not invite the AP Chief Minister to the summit and seemed reluctant to let AP be showcased. We cannot speculate as to the fears Chandrababu Naidu was hounded by, but he did not even mention the summit nor could he find fault with the Centre. How do we explain Chandrababu Naidu's overseas tours seeking investments for AP contrasting this with the state not being represented at GES or meeting investors who were here? These actions of his do little to enhance the reputation of AP or the self-respect of the people of the state. Chandrababu Naidu may well be able to digest this slight, but will the people of AP get over it? That is a question worth asking. However, knowing the people of the state, let us hope that they would respond suitably at an opportune moment.