![N Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-111093272,width-300,height-225,imgsize-185030,resizemode-75/n-chandrababu-naidu-chief-minister-of-the-southern-state-of-andhra-pradesh.jpg)
Naidu will also push for clearance of arrears relating to the Polavaram project -- a long-standing demand of the Andhra Pradesh state government. The bone of contention has been cost escalation of the project owing to delays in implementation, increase in land required for the project and then acquired and the number of persons displaced by the project. Though the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP government had pushed this, the chief minister had limited success with the Centre. Party sources indicated that Naidu will push the demand again.
The state government is also looking for access to cheap power from government of India-owned projects to reduce power tariffs in Andhra. In the run-up to the assembly elections, Naidu had flagged how the YSRCP government had raised power tariffs eight times in four years and had promised to reduce tariff if voted to power. The Centre's help could go a long way in delivering this election promise. Power tariff in Andhra Pradesh has been a politically potent issue. In 2000, as chief minister, Naidu had faced violent protests when he had raised power tariff by 14.5%. Protesters had marched to the assembly in Hyderabad and fought a pitched battle with the police leaving three persons dead and 200 injured.
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