The ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh led by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy announcing support the Narendra Modi government at the Centre on Delhi bureaucratic machinery bill and the no-confidence motion on Manipur issue has certainly put the Telugu Desam Party on the backfoot.
The TDP, led by former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has realised that the BJP would certainly not join hands with him in the coming general elections in the state, as the saffron party would be morally bound not to attack the Jagan party, which is helping the Centre in crucial times.
It is also an embarrassment situation for Jana Sena Party chief and actor Pawan Kalyan, who is going all out to attack the YSRCP and Jagan.
Though the BJP says it still has an alliance with the Jana Sena Party, it is of no use to Pawan Kalyan when the saffron party cannot attack the Jagan government in the elections.
So, there is a possibility that the TDP and Jana Sena Party would fight the elections together, leaving aside the BJP.
However, sources said Naidu would not make any attack or criticism on the BJP despite not having a formal alliance with the TDP.
“He would like to maintain friendly relationship with the BJP, at least by not making any attack on it or the Centre,” sources said.
The reason is: if Naidu starts attacking the Centre or the BJP and takes an opposite stand on the issues like Delhi bill or Manipur issue, he would certainly face the criticism of taking yet another U-turn in politics.
The TDP chief is expected to continue to be soft towards the BJP and wants the Centre to remain neutral in Andhra politics.
“All that he wants is that the BJP need not have an alliance with the TDP, but should not help the YSRCP in the elections and allow Jagan to bulldoze the election process by misusing the official machinery,” sources said.
There are reports that Naidu might fly to Delhi sometime in the first week of August to hold another round of talks with the BJP bosses to get some clarity on the issue.
He is of the view that if the BJP remains neutral and doesn’t help the YSRC in any manner, it would help the TDP immensely, sources added.
