As Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu prepares to depart for New Delhi on Thursday evening to finalize the alliance issue with the Bharatiya Janata Party national leadership, party leaders are anxiously awaiting the possible outcome.
Naidu is expected to arrive in Delhi by 4 pm and has a scheduled meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah around 9 pm.
Earlier, BJP national president J P Nadda held preliminary talks with state BJP leaders, including Daggubati Purandeshwari and Somu Veerraju, regarding the seats to be sought from the TDP if the alliance materializes.
The TDP chief will present a list of seats that can be offered to the BJP as part of the alliance.
"The BJP will undoubtedly negotiate for more seats and potential winnable seats. If no agreement is reached between the parties even after negotiations, the alliance may not materialize," sources from New Delhi stated.
Interestingly, senior TDP leaders in New Delhi are reportedly of the opinion that it might be better if the party does not form an alliance with the BJP at all, as the party may lose more than it gains with the alliance.
"The BJP is not a significant force in the state, and its voter base is minimal. The TDP-Jana Sena alliance is sufficient to challenge the ruling YSRCP, and the addition of the BJP to the alliance may only burden the party by sharing a few seats," a TDP leader remarked.
However, having come this far in negotiations with the BJP, Naidu cannot retract, as it may be counterproductive for him if the center chooses to support YSRCP in electioneering and poll management.
"Therefore, it is better to negotiate firmly," the leader added.
Reportedly, Naidu is offering five MP seats as demanded by the BJP, but he will attempt to persuade national BJP leaders not to request seats where the TDP holds a strong position.
"Compromises may be made on both sides regarding seat sharing. If so, the alliance will materialize," sources added.
