The din over the Narendra Modi government granting special package to Andhra Pradesh in lieu of special category status has almost subsided.
While chief minister Naidu has almost stopped talking about it, except for occasional clarifications as to why he had to accept the special package, the BJP leaders are still running from pillar to post to explain to the people as to how special package is better than special status.
However, the Central BJP leadership is said to still doubtful over Naidu’s loyalty towards the NDA. They are suspicious that the TDP president might have remained silent on the special package for now; but there is every possibility that he might rake it up again before the 2019 elections to project the BJP in bad light.
The recent statements of Naidu are giving rise to these suspicions among the BJP leaders.
Of late, Naidu has been saying that he was forced to compromise on the package, since the Centre said it is equivalent to the benefits accrued to the state if special status is given.
He also said he would continue to fight with the Centre, till he recovers the last paisa from the Centre.
As of now the BJP does not have many stakes in AP, because of the alliance with the TDP. But if Naidu thinks the TDP might lose because of the resentment among the people against the BJP, he would not hesitate to dump the saffron party before the elections and take up the special status issue again.
“So, it is better the BJP breaks the alliance with the TDP now and concentrate on growing on its own in the state, so that it can neutralise the TDP in the next elections,” a BJP leader observed.
