On today's episode of 'The Countdown', Prannoy Roy looks at whether Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will remain at centre-stage of the state's politics. We will look at how X-factor, actor-turned politician Pawan Kalyan will fit in, as well as if YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy can defeat Mr Naidu. Will jobs be the focus of Andhra politics this election, or will it be the often-promised special category status for the state. Join NDTV's 'The Countdown' team as they travel through the entire state speaking to voters and key newsmakers, along with exclusive insights from Chandrababu Naidu, Jagan Mohan Reddy and Pawan Kalyan.
Here are the highlights of today's episode of 'The Countdown':Voter breakup in Andhra Pradesh by religion, caste and literacy
The Countdown with Prannoy Roy | Will Chandrababu Naidu hold on to Andhra?
2014 Lok Sabha tally vs Assembly numbers
2014: TDP and allies BJP, Jana Sena won 47.7% of the votes
Neck and neck fight between TDP and YSR Congress in 2014 election
NDTV speaks to Chandrababu Naidu
Prannoy Roy: What is the main issue that has the biggest resonance with the crowd?
Chandrababu Naidu: Injustice done during bifurcation. Even today, Telangana didn't co-operate for the bifurcation. There are so many issues pending. We need 1 lakh crore which is denied. People feel let down.
Shekhar Gupta: Who is your rival?
Chandrababu Naidu: Narendra Modi, KCR and Jagan Reddy. We're establishing a case.
Prannoy Roy: What about alliance with regional parties? Do you want to be PM?
Chandrababu Naidu: I am not an aspirant. We'll work together post-election. Earlier also, we've never named the Prime Minister.
Shekhar Gupta: Are all three rivals together, according to you?
Chandrababu Naidu: They're all one. PM Modi is protecting Jagan, KCR is supporting Jagan. If you ask people, they'll say they're all one.
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: Last time you had BJP and Pawan Kalyan supporting you. Your vote percentage difference was less than 2%. How will you cover the ground?
Chandrababu Naidu: People vote on basis of performance. They're very happy.
Prannoy Roy: Will Pawan Kalyan cut your votes or Jagan's votes more?
Chandrababu Naidu: Ultimately, no one can touch our votes.
Shekhar Gupta: Describe PM Modi in one line.
Chandrababu Naidu: He destroyed the nation and democratic institutions. This is the last election with this kind of politics.
"PM Modi, KCR, Jagan Mohan Reddy all are one": Chandrababu Naidu to NDTV
"Nobody can touch our vote": Chandrababu Naidu to NDTV
Chandrababu Naidu on Congress: "At the national level we are together. There are some political compulsions at the state level, we are fighting each other."
The TDP-YSR Congress divide in Andhra
A tiny swing in votes would have made huge difference to Andhra results
The rise of a new leader - Jana Sena's Pawan Kalyan
NDTV speaks to Pawan Kalyan
Shekhar Gupta: Who are you closer to, radical left or right?
Pawan Kalyan: You have to stand in the centre. Sometimes, the fight for justice, Left is the way. The needed cultural understanding comes sometimes from the Right. But I participated in both. I used to watch from a distance. I was in a state of confusion till age 31. By 39, I realized we have to be somewhere balanced.
Prannoy Roy: How would you like to change and make a difference in politics?
Pawan Kalyan: My fundamental priorities are constitutional rights and fairness in whatever individual would get from society and a sense of security. I shouldn't be intimidated in my own country.
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: What's your report card for the Prime Minister?
Pawan Kalyan: We rallied behind PM Modi believing he gives strong leadership, which minimises divisiveness. We rallied behind with a lot of admiration and respect. But the moment he took charge, he created fear psychosis.
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: Are you fighting to be a kingmaker?
Pawan Kalyan: I would like to form my own government. Don't want to be called kingmaker or king, because we are in a democracy.
Pawan Kalyan rates the Modi government
"Don't like to use the word 'king' or 'kingmaker'": Pawan Kalyan to NDTV
"Shouldn't be intimidated in my country": Jana Sena's Pawan Kalyan to NDTV
Congress vote percentage in Andhra has decreased dramatically over the years
NDTV speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: The response you're getting, you're adding many more promises. Is it because Chandrababu Naidu is also being populist?
Jagan Reddy: Even in last elections, he's proven himself a liar. He said he would waive farm loans. I was under pressure. Lots of my party members said, 'Why don't you do the same?' Then I said, Rs 87,612 crores, no state government has such resources. It came true today. This election is credibility vs betrayal. There is huge anti-incumbency this time.
Prannoy Roy: Are national parties relevant?
Jagan Reddy: They lost their credibility, especially with the way they bifurcated Andhra Pradesh against the wishes of our people and their double-standard on special category status.
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: Do you need to wrest special category status from centre? Who will you partner with for it?
Jagan Reddy: These things are revealed by God. When the numbers come, I think, I'm hoping for a hung parliament.
Prannoy Roy: If you were to meet Sonia Gandhi right now, what would you say to her?
Jagan Reddy: It's a very hypothetical situation. There's no point debating it.
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: Would you support any party which gives special category?
Jagan Reddy: Absolutely.
Prannoy Roy: Would you form federal front with KCR?
Jagan Reddy: I thank KCR
Garu for special category status. Anybody who would form government in centre would need our support.
NDTV's Uma Sudhir: What's your report card for the PM?
Jagan Reddy: Prime Minister might score well all over the country, but as far as Andhra is concerned, he would be projected as someone who has betrayed us, as is Rahul Gandhi. I would support anyone who gives special category status.
Prannoy Roy: Would you have Amaravati as the capital if you become Chief Minister?
Jagan Reddy: Amaravati is filled with scams. He (Chandrababu Naidu) knew where the capital is coming. He misled people that the capital was coming elsewhere. He bought land at throwaway prices. This is insider trading, if the word is right.
"In Andhra, national parties have no role to play": YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy
"Hoping for a hung verdict": YSR Congress President Jagan Mohan Reddy
"National parties lost their credibility (in Andhra) because of their double standard on special category status": YSR Congress President Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Importance of women voters in 2019 Elections
Turnout of women voters in villages higher than in urban areas
Turnout of women in Andhra Pradesh was among the highest in 2014 elections
In 2014, women participated as actively as men in the electoral process
CB Naidu vs Jagan Reddy - religion and caste factors in Andhra Pradesh
A look at how caste factor plays out in Andhra Pradesh
TDP has strong base in villages while YSR Congress leads in towns
The 10 seats to watch out for on counting day as they almost always vote the overall winner
