The sudden decision of Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to fly to New Delhi on Tuesday evening has raised many an eyebrow.
According to sources, there is no official agenda for Naidu’s Delhi visit, though the party people say, as usual, he would discuss pending issues related to state bifurcation, which may or may not be true.
Sources said Naidu would be meeting Union home minister Amit Shah. Apart from state-related issues, he is expected to discuss political issues, which is believed to be the main agenda. If possible, Naidu would also meet other Union ministers, particularly Union finance minister Nirmala Sitaramana, to seek financial assistance.
There is a speculation that Naidu might discuss with Amit Shah the issue of the BJP falling short of majority in Rajya Sabha, which might force the saffron party seek the help of the YSR Congress party in the passage of certain important bills.
The TDP chief, according to the speculation, might convey to the Union home minister that there is no need to depend on the YSRCP, as some of its Rajya Sabha members are evincing interest in joining the TDP.
The YSRCP has 11 MP in Rajya Sabha, whereas the TDP has none. However, some of the YSRCP’s Rajya Sabha members are not happy with their party as they see no future for it at least in the near future.
Moreover, since the BJP is in an alliance with the TDP and Jana Sena, there is no way these YSRCP MPs could lobby with the Centre to get their works done. They have the option of joining either the TDP or the BJP.
But if they join the BJP, they might not have much say in Andhra Pradesh. So, the better option is to join the TDP, which is anyway part of the NDA, so that they can have the political mileage.
According to sources, those who are likely to shift loyalties to the TDP are: Golla Babu Rao, Meda Raghunath Reddy, R Krishnaiah and Beeda Mastan Rao.
In any case, Parimal Nathwani, a representative of Reliance Industries, would support the BJP, whenever necessary, sources added.
