Join NDTV's 'The Countdown' team as they travel through Andhra Pradesh speaking to voters and newsmakers
On today's episode of 'The Countdown', Prannoy Roy looks at whether Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will remain at centre-stage of the state's politics. We will look at how X-factor, actor-turned politician Pawan Kalyan will fit in, as well as if YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy can defeat Mr Naidu. Will jobs be the focus of Andhra politics this election, or will it be the often-promised special category status for the state. Join NDTV's 'The Countdown' team as they travel through the entire state speaking to voters and key newsmakers, along with exclusive insights from Chandrababu Naidu, Jagan Mohan Reddy and Pawan Kalyan.
Here are the highlights of today's episode of 'The Countdown':
The 10 seats to watch out for on counting day as they almost always vote the overall winner
TDP has strong base in villages while YSR Congress leads in towns
A look at how caste factor plays out in Andhra Pradesh
CB Naidu vs Jagan Reddy - religion and caste factors in Andhra Pradesh
WATCH: "That will teach them": Jagan Mohan Reddy is hoping for a hung verdict
In 2014, women participated as actively as men in the electoral process
Turnout of women in Andhra Pradesh was among the highest in 2014 elections
Turnout of women voters in villages higher than in urban areas
Importance of women voters in 2019 Elections
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
Prannoy Roy: Would you have Amaravati as the capital if you become Chief Minister?
Jagan Reddy: Amaravati is filled with scams. He (Chandrababu Naidu) knew where the capital is coming. He misled people that the capital was coming elsewhere. He bought land at throwaway prices. This is insider trading, if the word is right.
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: What's your report card for the PM?
Jagan Reddy: Prime Minister might score well all over the country, but as far as Andhra is concerned, he would be projected as someone who has betrayed us, as is Rahul Gandhi. I would support anyone who gives special category status.
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
Prannoy Roy: Would you form federal front with KCR?
Jagan Reddy: I thank KCR Garu for special-category status. Anybody who would form government in centre would need our support.
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: Would you support any party which gives special category?
Jagan Reddy: Absolutely.
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
Prannoy Roy: If you were to meet Sonia Gandhi right now, what would you say to her?
Jagan Reddy: It's a very hypothetical situation. There's no point debating it.
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: Do you need to wrest special category status from centre? Who will you partner with for it?
Jagan Reddy: These things are revealed by God. When the numbers come, I think, I'm hoping for a hung parliament.
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
Prannoy Roy: Are national parties relevant?
Jagan Reddy: They lost their credibility, especially with the way they bifurcated Andhra Pradesh against the wishes of our people and their double-standard on special category status.
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: The response you're getting, you're adding many more promises. Is it because Chandrababu Naidu is also being populist?
Jagan Reddy: Even in last elections, he's proven himself a liar. He said he would waive farm loans. I was under pressure. Lots of my party members said, 'Why don't you do the same?' Then I said, Rs 87,612 crores, no state government has such resources. It came true today. This election is credibility vs betrayal. There is huge anti-incumbency this time.
Congress vote percentage in Andhra has decreased dramatically over the years
NDTV speaks to Pawan Kalyan
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: What's your report card for the Prime Minister?
Pawan Kalyan: We rallied behind PM Modi believing he gives strong leadership, which minimises divisiveness. We rallied behind lots of admiration. But the moment he took charge, he created fear psychosis.
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: Are you fighting to be a kingmaker?
Pawan Kalyan: I would like to form my own government. Don't want to be called kingmaker or king, because we are in a democracy.
NDTV speaks to Pawan Kalyan
Prannoy Roy: How would you like to change and make a difference in politics?
Pawan Kalyan: My fundamental priorities are constitutional rights and fairness in whatever individual would get from society and a sense of security. I shouldn't be intimidated in my own country.
NDTV speaks to Pawan Kalyan
Shekhar Gupta: Who are you closer to, radical left or right?
Pawan Kalyan: You have to stand in the centre. Sometimes, the fight for justice, Left is the way. The needed cultural understanding comes sometimes from the right. But I participated in both. I used to watch from a distance. I was in a state of confusion till age 31. By 39, I realized we have to be somewhere balanced.
The rise of a new leader - Jana Sena's Pawan Kalyan
A tiny swing in votes would have made huge difference to Andhra results
The TDP-YSR Congress divide in Andhra
NDTV speaks to Chandrababu Naidu
Shekhar Gupta: Describe PM Modi in one line.
Chandrababu Naidu: He destroyed the nation and democratic institutions. This is the last election with this kind of politics.
NDTV speaks to Chandrababu Naidu
Prannoy Roy: Will Pawan Kalyan cut your votes or Jagan's votes more?
Chandrababu Naidu: Ultimately, no one can touch our votes.
NDTV speaks to Chandrababu Naidu
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: Last time you had BJP and Pawan Kalyan supporting you. Your vote percentage difference was less than 2%. How will you cover the ground?
Chandrababu Naidu: People vote on basis of performance. They're very happy.
NDTV speaks to Chandrababu Naidu
Shekhar Gupta: Are all three rivals together, according to you?
Chandrababu Naidu: They're all one. PM Modi is protecting Jagan, KCR is supporting Jagan. If you ask people, they'll say they're all one.
NDTV speaks to Chandrababu Naidu
Prannoy Roy: What about alliance with regional parties? Do you want to be PM?
Chandrababu Naidu: I am not an aspirant. We'll work together post-election. Earlier also, we've never named the Prime Minister.
NDTV speaks to Chandrababu Naidu
Shekhar Gupta: Who is your rival?
Chandrababu Naidu: Narendra Modi, KCR and Jagan Reddy. We're establishing a case.
NDTV speaks to Chandrababu Naidu
Prannoy Roy: What is the main issue that has the biggest resonance with the crowd?
Chandrababu Naidu: Injustice done during bifurcation. Even today, Telangana didn't co-operate for the bifurcation. There are so many issues pending. We need 1 lakh crore which is denied. People feel let down.
Neck and neck fight between TDP and YSR Congress in 2014 election
Voter breakup in Andhra Pradesh by religion, caste and literacy
Voter breakup in Andhra Pradesh by religion, caste and literacy
2014: TDP and allies BJP, Jana Sena won 47.7% of the votes
2014 Lok Sabha tally vs assembly numbers
Voter breakup in Andhra Pradesh by religion, caste and literacy
