Congress leader slams Andhra Pradesh CM’s population growth drive

AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced financial incentives of ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child in a bid to reverse his state’s declining population trend. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

A day after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced cash incentives for families having their third or fourth child, Congress leader Husain Dalwai criticized the strategy of pushing for population growth to fuel political pressure.

“They should instead seek better representation. Now they fear that once their population is under control, they will have less representation compared to northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. But this is a wrong approach. Today even Muslims follow family planning. The spread of health and education has led to more awareness,” Dalwai told The Hindu.

An overpopulated nation

The former Rajya Sabha member noted that India was already an overpopulated country. “One should give incentives to those who have fewer children. Wherever there is development, the spread of education, there is a lower birth rate. Then why is he announcing incentives for population growth? I understand the fear of the southern states. But the fear of losing representation should not lead to this step,” he said.

When India became independent, its population was 30 million, Mr. Dalwai said. “Now it is 150 crore. Family planning was a decision of the Congress. Southern states have more education, more health infrastructure. The weight of representation should now be decided on a different basis. Just because Uttar Pradesh and Bihar did not provide education, did not make family planning available does not mean they should get more representation. This is unfair to the southern states,” he said.

On Saturday (May 16, 2026), Mr Naidu announced financial incentives of ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child in a bid to reverse his state’s declining population trend.

Published – 17 May 2026 22:59 IST