Andhra Pradesh: Money Politics Is The Disease For Democracy, Says Venkaiah Naidu
NELLORE:Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday warned that the growing influence of money in politics is "a disease for democracy. " He sought the return of value-based, ideology-driven. . .
NELLORE:Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday warned that the growing influence of money in politics is "a disease for democracy. " He sought the return of value-based, ideology-driven politics. Speaking at the launch of Venkaiah Nayakudu, a biography chronicling his five-decade political journey authored by senior journalist Maa Sharma, former vice-president called upon young people to enter public life with discipline, hard work, and unwavering commitment to their ideals. He cautioned against divisive politics based on caste, religion, language, or region, saying leaders should be judged by their integrity, competence, and public conduct, rather than identity. "Political rivals are not enemies," Venkaiah Naidu remarked, recalling that even sharp criticism should never descend into personal attacks. Drawing from his own political career, he said he once contested elections without spending even the campaign donations he had received. "Today, politics has become impossible without money. Money politics weakens democracy," he maintained. The former vice president advocated free education and healthcare for the poor, instead of extending to them indiscriminate welfare schemes. He reiterated his opposition to dynastic politics, revealing that despite repeated requests he never encouraged his family to enter electoral politics. He praised his daughter Deepa Venkat for choosing social service through the Swarna Bharat Trust instead. On Andhra Pradesh, Venkaiah Naidu said he has long favoured locating the state capital between Vijayawada and Guntur. He asked the state government to complete Amaravati's core infrastructure quickly and expand it in phases. Several speakers, including ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy and Ponguru Narayana, MPs Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, and Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, hailed Naidu as a statesman, mentor, and visionary, whose efforts brought several prestigious national institutions and development projects to Nellore district and Andhra Pradesh.