Mon Mar 10 08:15:51 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh MP Sparks Outrage with Controversial “Baby Bonus” Scheme

**Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh –** A proposal by Andhra Pradesh Lok Sabha MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu to pay women ₹50,000 for a third child, with an additional cow for a boy, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. The offer, lauded by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and some others as “revolutionary,” is being widely criticized as sexist and insensitive.

Naidu, a member of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), an ally of the BJP, justified his proposal by citing the need to increase India’s population and address what he perceives as a dwindling younger generation in Andhra Pradesh. This comes amidst a heated debate between southern states and the central government over the upcoming delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.

Southern states, led by Tamil Nadu, argue that a population-based delimitation, scheduled before the 2029 general elections, would unfairly reduce their representation in Parliament due to their relatively successful population control measures. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has vehemently opposed this, calling it an “assault on federalism,” and convened a meeting with other affected states to discuss the matter.

The central government denies these claims, stating that the delimitation process will not disadvantage southern states. This issue is further complicated by the BJP’s lack of significant presence in Tamil Nadu, where the upcoming state assembly elections will likely see delimitation and language policies as key campaign issues.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu’s support for the controversial “baby bonus” scheme appears linked to his own recent shift in stance on population growth. He has acknowledged the potential benefits of a larger population, contrasting this with concerns about an aging population in southern India. His uncertain attendance at a meeting convened by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister regarding delimitation highlights the complex political dynamics at play. The “baby bonus” scheme, therefore, is not only a demographic issue but also a politically charged one, reflecting broader tensions between the central government and southern states.

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