Oh, what a splendid budget it has been! The grand spectacle of Union Budget 2025 has unfolded, showering blessings upon some lucky states while others are left looking up at the sky, wondering if they missed the rainfall. And what a downpour it was for Bihar! A veritable flood of funds, projects, and special packages—because, you know, political arithmetic demands it.
And then there’s Andhra Pradesh. Ah, poor Andhra Pradesh! The state that gave a warm embrace to the nda, the state whose Chief Minister, the ever-visionary and ever-hopeful Nara Chandrababu Naidu, threw his weight behind the government, expecting—what’s that word again?—ah, yes, reciprocation. But alas, it seems Naidu's expectations were about as misplaced as believing a budget speech would ever contain the words "Special Category Status" for Andhra Pradesh.
One might have assumed that after years of playing political chess, Naidu had mastered the game. He joined the nda alliance with gusto, hoping for a jackpot, only to realize that, much like in 2014, andhra pradesh remains the last child in the line for candy. While bihar basks in the glory of new railway projects, industrial corridors, and bumper financial allocations, andhra pradesh is left holding… well, let’s be generous and call it “hope.”
Of course, hope doesn't build infrastructure, create employment, or fund massive irrigation projects. But let’s not nitpick! Surely, Naidu should be content with the occasional pat on the back and some vague promises about ‘considering’ future investments. Because who needs actual budget allocations when you can have assurances?
Let’s be fair—the Union government did mention andhra pradesh somewhere in the budget speech. Oh wait, did they? Blink and you’d miss it. While bihar got a lion’s share (because, let’s face it, 2024 lok sabha elections taught the nda that keeping nitish kumar happy is a strategic necessity), andhra pradesh was the silent spectator, watching its aspirations dissolve into thin air.
The grand irony? The nda needs andhra pradesh, but clearly, andhra pradesh doesn’t seem to need the nda enough to be noticed. The message is clear: Play your cards right, and you might get lucky. Play them wrong, and you might end up with nothing but empty reassurances and a front-row seat to Bihar’s celebrations.
So, what’s next for Chandrababu Naidu? Perhaps a stronger pitch, a louder voice, and maybe—just maybe—a reconsideration of political alliances down the road? Because in the grand theater of indian politics, loyalty is appreciated, but leverage gets you results. And if the Budget 2025 snub is any indication, Naidu might need to take some lessons in leverage before the next big deal is struck.
Until then, dear andhra pradesh, keep waiting. Maybe, just maybe, next year’s budget will have something more than just well-crafted rhetoric for you.
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