In a Democracy, Is Power Concentrated in One Person… While Everyone Else Becomes a Rubber Stamp?
Kranthi Shekar - FEB 17, 2026
A strange political scenario is unfolding today, both in India and in Andhra Pradesh. At the Centre, Narendra Modi; in the state, Chandrababu Naidu - and the common question arising among the people is: What exactly are the other ministers, MLAs, and MPs doing?
“If one person is doing everything, why do the rest get salaries? Why did we elect them?” This may sound like a simple question, but a deeper analysis shows that it directly touches the very health of our democratic system.
All Powers in One Person’s Hands – Not New, But Now Crossing Limits
When Chandrababu Naidu served as Chief Minister between 2014 and 2019, he did oversee almost everything. But at least back then, some ministers like K.E. Krishnamurthy, Achchennaidu, Devineni Uma, and P. Narayana exercised a certain level of independence in their departments.
After 2024, upon returning to power, that space seems to have disappeared. From morning 9 AM to night 11 PM, review meetings are held at the Chief Minister’s camp office. Officials from all departments attend. Ministers sit there simply to listen to instructions - not to make decisions of their own.
Consider the major initiatives launched in the last five months:
Super Six promises implementation
Reopening of Anna Canteens
Free LPG cylinders
Free bus travel for women
Loan waiver announcements
₹20,000 crore savings through reverse tendering
All these were announced directly from the Chief Minister’s Office. The names of the respective ministers did not even appear in newspapers.
What Is the Role of Ministers? Just Attendance-Takers in Cabinet Meetings?
The cabinet meets every Wednesday. Even there, ministers hardly speak. Whatever the CM says becomes final. In the last six months, not a single minister has held a press conference to declare, “This is my department’s independent initiative.”
Whether it is Pawan Kalyan, Nara Lokesh, Achchennaidu, Kollu Ravindra, or Katamneni Venkata Ramana - none has announced a single programme belonging solely to their department. Is this healthy?
MLAs – Missing in Villages, Silent in the Assembly
Andhra Pradesh has 175 MLAs, of whom 164 belong to the TDP–Jana Sena–BJP alliance. They made many promises before elections. But after winning, they’re hardly visible in their constituencies.
From village secretariats to mandal offices, every file is routed to the CM’s camp office. Complaints are emerging from district after district that MLAs are telling people, “We don’t know. Please go to the CM’s office.”
Even in the Assembly, due to the absence of a strong opposition, there is no debate. Bills are being passed, but MLAs are not asking a single question.
Is this democracy? Or one-man rule?
What Are the Consequences?
Decisions may be fast, but local leadership is weakening.
If the CM falls ill for any reason, the entire administration could stall.
Second-tier leadership - ministers and MLAs - loses experience, harming the party’s future.
People begin to believe that “without one person, nothing will move.”
This is dangerous for democracy.
What Is the Solution?
Every minister must be required to announce at least one new scheme each month.
MLAs should be given independent authority to spend at least ₹50 crore in their constituencies (instead of the current ₹3–5 crore).
In cabinet meetings, ministers’ opinions should be officially recorded.
District-level review meetings must be conducted by district ministers, not by the CM every day.
Strengthen the opposition by giving them committee roles - only then will meaningful debate happen.
Chandrababu Naidu’s experience, discipline, and administrative ability are undisputed. Under his leadership, the state is developing rapidly - that is also true.
But if the entire administration rests on one man’s shoulders, how long will it last?
Democracy is not about one individual - it is a system. Everyone within that system must play their part. Otherwise, elections, voting rights, and the Assembly itself become a mere performance.
It is time for the Chief Minister to reflect:
“The state should not come to a halt in my absence.”
Only then will a true “Swarna Andhra Pradesh” become possible. Only then will our democracy remain healthy.
