Keeping an eye on Seemandhra voters and a political alliance with the Telugu Desam Party, the BJP appears to be slowly changing its stand on the Telangana statehood issue.
Though the saffron party has been, from the beginning, steadfastly supporting the demand for separate Telangana state, it has, of late, singing a slightly different tune.
Surprisingly, there appears to be a convergence of viewpoint between TDP and BJP as far as bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh is concerned.
Both are calibrating their responses in a similar manner. Both are talking about resolving the issues pertaining to the people of Seemandhra first before dividing the state.
If one observes the statements of the BJP leaders in the last few weeks, it is clear that the BJP has modified its position with an eye on the coming general elections.
Whether it was Kishan Reddy or the party president Rajnath Singh, the party's articulation of views on Telangana issue match those of the TDP's. They are highlighting the concerns and apprehensions of the Seemandhra people and seeking to turn the tables on the Congress to spell out its strategy and road map on resolving the Seemandhra problems.
After meeting the Group of Ministers (GoM), Kishan Reddy said that the Congress should first disclose its stand on the terms of reference of GoM instead of asking the views of other parties.
The BJP is aware of the fact that its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is drawing huge response from people, particularly the youth, from across the country and it does not want to lose out its chances in Seemandhra.
The saffron party is looking towards Southern states to boost its prospects and it becomes important for the party to have a southern ally like TDP.
Seemandhra can be a better bet for the party to win some seats in alliance with the formidable regional party.
Moreover, it does not want the Congress to walk away with all the credit for granting statehood for Telangana region.
