Only those with more than 2 children can contest local polls : Andhra CM
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Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that individuals can only contest local body elections, such as those for sarpanch, municipal councillor, or mayor, if they have more than two children. This move aims to address the state's declining population.
Naidu emphasized that policies would be introduced to encourage people to have larger families. "At one point, individuals with many children were not allowed to contest elections for local bodies. Now, what I am proposing is that individuals with fewer children should be restricted from running. You can become a sarpanch, municipal councillor, or even a mayor only if you have more than two children," he stated in a recent press interaction in Naravaripalle.
The Chief Minister also predicted that North India could lose its advantage of a stable fertility rate within the next 15 years. He noted that previous generations had larger families, while the current generation, particularly in urban areas, often opts for smaller families or the “double income, no kids” (DINK) lifestyle. Naidu remarked, "If our parents had thought like today’s generation, we wouldn’t be here."
Reflecting on global trends, he pointed to countries such as South Korea, Japan, and parts of Europe, where the failure to recognize the dangers of plummeting birthrates has resulted in a shrinking population. Naidu warned that these nations, which focused solely on wealth creation and economic growth, now face the challenge of having insufficient populations to sustain their economies.
Earlier this month, Naidu highlighted India's declining birthrates and cautioned against following the same path as countries like Japan and South Korea, where low birthrates are leading to demographic challenges.
The Chief Minister also criticized the current generation’s reluctance to have children, citing economic factors and a desire for personal enjoyment as key drivers. "Many couples are now hesitant to have children because they don’t want to share the wealth they’ve earned," Naidu noted.
In October 2024, Naidu had already voiced concerns about Andhra Pradesh's aging population and the need for population management. He stressed the importance of sustaining the demographic dividend, noting that, from 2047 onwards, the aging population would outnumber the younger generation. He concluded, "If women have fewer than two children, the population will decline. If they have more than two, the population will grow."
The Chief Minister's proposal is part of his broader effort to address the state’s demographic trends and ensure its future economic stability.
With PTI inputs