Babu plays Obama in AP elections

2009

Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, March 30: Former chief minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu is now projecting himself as the Barack Obama of Andhra Pradesh, the leader who is all set to bring the "much needed change" in politics and governance.

Though Chandrababu Naidu served as the chief minister of the State for nine years, he now insists that "it's time for change and saying good-bye to poverty". To drive home his message, the TD supremo has posed himself ala Barack Obama with a neat suit, a tie and trimmed beard.

The picture of "modern Babu" is posted on the Telugu Desam's official website exclusively meant for the Telugu-speaking people settled in the UK and other parts of Europe. The photograph also carries the historic Charminar in the backdrop stressing the message that Chandrababu Naidu is the link between ancient values
and modernity, and the change leader of Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrababu Naidu is never known to sport suit in public. Even during the visit of then US President Bill Clinton to the city, Chandrababu Naidu was in his regular attire. Interestingly, Telugu Desam's website for the general public has the pictures of Chandrababu Naidu in his usual dress, while the one posted in the website for Telugu NRIs mimics Barack Obama.

"It is a matter of great pride that the people of Andhra Pradesh are the driving force and at the forefront of the IT services industry the world over including the United Kingdom and Europe. Undoubtedly this has been achieved due to our relentless efforts between 1995 and 2004. And you have seen what has happened to the State after the TD government stepped down," says Chandrababu Naidu urging voters to "welcome prosperity and eradicate corruption".

Chandrababu Naidu also projects himself as the "next chief minister" of Andhra Pradesh saying that people in the State are waiting for change and the general election has come handy for them to seek development "by voting for the Telugu Desam".