In a surprising public statement, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged families to have at least two children to boost the state’s birth rate, citing signs of declining population growth. He also suggested, somewhat sarcastically, that political candidates with fewer than two children may not be eligible to contest in local body elections, adding that larger families would receive more support from the government.
Speaking at a leaders’ gathering on October 19, Naidu emphasized the need to enhance the state’s growth rate and encouraged families to reconsider past population control measures. “In the past, I advocated for population control, but now we need to increase the birth rate for the future,” he stated.
The announcement has raised eyebrows among opposition Political parties and people, with critics questioning Naidu’s focus on increasing birth rates amid global concerns about overpopulation. Many argue that this approach is completely irrelevant and does not make sense in the current context.
As the discussion unfolds, the central question remains: how will this emphasis on birth rates contribute to the overall development of the state?
