Bharatiya Janata Party in Andhra Pradesh, which has been struggling to prove its existence in the state due to its inconsistent stand, has got the much-needed aggression on Monday with the entry of Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay.
Hitherto, the BJP had been in a state of indecisiveness on contesting the by-elections to Tirupati parliamentary seat, necessitated by the death of sitting MP Balli Durgaprasada Rao. It has so far not come to an understanding with its alliance partner Jana Sena on who should contest the by-polls.
There is a general feeling that the BJP might not put up a strong fight in Tirupati because party state president Somu Veerraju’s friendly attitude towards the YSR Congress led by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Unless the party goes all out against Jagan, it cannot expect to fight the elections, let alone win it. If this feeling among the people gains ground, it might benefit the Telugu Desam Party.
However, the entry of BJP Telangana unit president Bandi Sanjay has changed the scenario completely. He went all out against the YSRC and Jagan Mohan Reddy and sought to kick up the religious passions in the temple town.
“Will you vote for the people holding a Bible or will you vote for the people holding a Bhagavad Gita,” Sanjay asked the people of Tirupati. He also questioned them whether they wanted to vote for the party which allegedly describes the presiding deity of Tirumala as ‘rendu kondavalavada govinda’ (God of two hills) or they will vote for the BJP which is for ‘yedu kondalavada Venkataramana govinda’ (God of seven hills).
“You have to give a slap in the face of pseudo-secular people,” claimed the MP about the voting power of the Telugu people.
Sanjay’s comments definitely stirred the emotions of the Hindus in Tirupati and gave the much-needed boost to the BJP cadres in the state.
And there will be no surprise if the BJP high command entrusts Sanjay with the responsibility of leading the campaign in Tirupati by-elections!
