Calls to eliminate high-value currency notes from circulation in order to bring transparency to the national economy and electoral politics have resurfaced. This time, the prominent demand has been raised by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He has formally appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to completely discontinue the circulation of Rs 500 currency notes across the country. Instead, he has strongly advocated for encouraging the widespread use of smaller denomination notes of Rs 100 and Rs 200. According to him, this decisive measure will help curb the flow of black money and significantly strengthen the culture of digital payments nationwide.
Press Conference Held in Amaravati
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made these remarks during a press conference held in Amaravati. He was sharing his reactions regarding the impressive results of the recently concluded local body elections in the state. During the interaction, he expressed deep concern over the growing financial influence and use of muscle power in electoral politics. He clearly stated that the primary objective of public representatives should be dedicated public service rather than accumulating wealth through elections or utilizing heavy funds during campaigns.
Rationale Behind Curbing Corruption and Boosting Digital Payments
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu strongly believes that reducing or eliminating the usage of high-value banknotes can play a vital role in keeping corruption under check. With this specific objective in mind, he proposed phasing out Rs 500 notes to give greater prominence to Rs 100 and Rs 200 bills. Alongside this, he urged citizens to actively embrace digital transactions and digital currency in their daily lives. He also made it clear that he will continue requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps that encourage digital payments across the country.
Reducing the Influence of Money Power in Politics
Addressing the press conference, N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized that minimizing the heavy influence of money in contemporary politics is extremely necessary. Public representatives must possess a genuine spirit of service toward the masses, and their ultimate goal should be working for the welfare of the public. Mentioning the local body elections specifically, he noted that despite a noticeable decrease in cash distribution incidents during the polls, the ruling coalition secured a massive and splendid victory. In his view, this outcome clearly proves that today's electorate supports political parties based on development and service rather than mere flashiness or financial dominance.
Massive Voter Support for the Coalition in Local Elections
Sharing detailed statistics from the local body elections in Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister stated that the coalition secured a total of 58.90 percent of the votes. In contrast, the opposition YSRCP managed to secure only 33.56 percent of the votes. He further claimed that compared to the 2024 general elections, the vote share of the YSRCP registered a significant decline of 6.25 percent. The gap in vote share between the two sides stood at a substantial 25.34 percent, reflecting the strong mandate in favor of the coalition.
Claim of Lead Across Majority of Districts
The Chief Minister reported that out of a total of 28 districts, the coalition maintained a lead in 27 districts, with Alluri district being the only exception. Focusing on urban areas, the coalition secured 59.9 percent of the votes along with a remarkable 94 percent win rate. Furthermore, in the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency elections, the coalition put up an impressive performance, garnering 57.6 percent of the votes and an 87.5 percent win rate. According to N. Chandrababu Naidu, the YSRCP was in such a weakened position that it failed to win even a single ZPTC seat across seven districts.
Public Rejects Violence and Rowdyism
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister stated that the local body elections in the state were conducted in an entirely peaceful, fair, and transparent environment. According to him, the public decisively rejected any form of violence, fear, or rowdyism, choosing instead to vote wholeheartedly in favor of development and supporting the coalition. He specifically recalled the swift assistance provided by the state government to the residents of Visakhapatnam during the past Hudhud cyclone. He noted that the public remembers the welfare work performed by the government, which is why people once again voted overwhelmingly for coalition candidates. He also added that whether elections are conducted via electronic voting machines, traditional ballot papers, or postal ballots, the electorate has clearly delivered its verdict in favor of the coalition across all mediums.
