YSR Congress party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy might have kept his options open with regard to which party or alliance he is going to support in the post-2019 election scenario, but the Bharatiya Janata Party is said to be secretly lobbying for his support.
For public consumption and to safeguard his vote bank, the YSR Congress party is registering protests against the BJP on the issue of special category status, but its primary target is the Telugu Desam Party so that it can come to power in Andhra Pradesh. So, it would be focussing on the state assembly elections, than on Lok Sabha elections.
Jagan has already made it clear in several interviews that he is not interested in the national political scenario and his party would support whatever party or coalition that comes to power at the Centre, provided it gave in writing that it would grant special category status to AP. Otherwise, he said his party would remain neutral.
However, a prominent leader in the BJP who played a key role in the party’s victory in north-eastern states said his party was negotiating with the YSRC for a post-poll support if not a pre-poll alliance.
“Jagan is going to be one of our main alliance partners down south,” he said.
However, it all depends on Jagan coming to power in the state and the number of seats his party is going to win in the Lok Sabha elections. At the same time, it also depends on the BJP returning to power at the Centre for a second term.
If Jagan comes to power in AP and has adequate MP seats, he will be in a commanding position to dictate terms with the BJP.
He will definitely put the condition that the NDA should grant special category status to AP. Otherwise, he knows he will have no credibility among the people.
However, it will be interesting to see what he would do if the Opposition alliance comes to power in the Centre.
The Congress might not be able to deliver special category status as promised, as it will not be in a commanding position and might escape on the pretext of coalition dharma.
So, Jagan will have the option of being neutral!
