Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aversion to Andhra Pradesh former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is widely acknowledged.
The ill treatment Naidu displayed towards Modi after their disassociation just before the 2019 elections remains unforgettable for the Prime Minister.
During one of the election campaigns in Andhra Pradesh in 2019, Modi referred to Naidu as a master of backstabbing.
While Naidu may perceive politics as having no permanent enemies or friends, Modi does not share the same belief. Consequently, Naidu has been attempting to forge an alliance with the BJP for the 2024 elections.
However, Modi is not interested in such a tie-up, driven not only by emotional reasons but also political considerations.
Sources suggest that Modi's advisors have cautioned him against forming an alliance with Naidu at this time. This is due to Naidu's promises of schemes worth more than Rs 8 lakh crore, a significantly larger figure than Jagan's commitments.
Fulfilling these promises would be challenging without the financial support of the central government.
There is a fear that Naidu might shift blame to the central BJP, portraying the party as betrayers of the people of Andhra Pradesh for not providing funds for welfare schemes.
In 2019, Naidu accused the central BJP of betraying the state on the matter of special status.
Given this history, it is widely believed that Naidu might engage in a similar smear campaign against the BJP if the TDP comes to power. This could cast the BJP as the villain in the eyes of the Andhra Pradesh populace.
Therefore, the advice to Modi is unequivocal – avoiding any alliance with Naidu would be in the best interest of the BJP as a whole.
