Will make a Muslim Dy CM if TDP voted back to power: Chandrababu Naidu
Amaravati: Seeking to emulate his Telangana counterpart, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Friday announced that he would make a Muslim a Deputy Chief Minister if the Telugu Desam Party was voted back to power.
He also promised to open an Islamic Bank exclusively for Muslims and offer interest-free loans to the community.
The TDP president made these announcements at an election meeting at Aluru in Kurnool district this afternoon.
"Today is a pious day. You all offer Namaz. You should all also resolve to vote for the TDP and I promise that I will make a Muslim a Deputy Chief Minister", Naidu said.
During his current tenure, Naidu appointed two Deputy CMs, one each from the Kapu community and backward classes, while Telangana had a Dalit and a Muslim as Deputy CMs.
The Chief Minister also announced that an exclusive BC Bank would be set up for the Backward Classes.
Meanwhile, YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy promised a Universal Health Card scheme for individuals earning up to Rs five lakh per annum, which would enable people to avail of free health care services.
Addressing an election rally in Guntur, Jagan said the scheme would benefit more than 75 per cent of the state's population.
"If I come to power, I will directly monitor the scheme and ensure that all the poor, whose medical expenses cross Rs 1000, get better medicare," Jagan said.
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RCB calmer than last year, players clear about their roles: Krunal Pandya
Bengaluru (PTI): The atmosphere in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp is much calmer than last year and players have a lot more understanding of their roles this season, says Krunal Pandya.
RCB won the Indian Premier League trophy for the first time in 18 years in 2025 and Pandya was the Man-of-the-Match in the final against Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad, returning 4-0-17-2 as RCB won the contest by six runs.
"I feel that this year there is a much calmer atmosphere. Last year it was a new team, and everyone got to know each other. This year many players understand their roles and each other's strengths and weaknesses," Pandya said in a release by the franchise.
"When I get into the big occasions, I feel that if God has got you here, then there is a reason behind it and sometimes I think that these big occasions are actually made for me. I feel the pressure, but I think about how I can be calm and in the present moment and do what is required," he said.
Pandya said RCB icon Virat Kohli would easily rank among the greatest players in any era of cricket.
"Virat is a classic example. You can see that hunger; you can see that passion in how he sees the game and how much he wants that victory. If Virat Kohli had been born in any (some other) generation, he would still be one of the greats. He is not competing with anyone else," he said.
