The reports that Telugu Desam Party president and AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s offer for a Cabinet berth for any TDP MP of his choice has taken several political pundits by surprise.
Modi himself had disclosed to the BJP leaders that Naidu had turned down the offer without citing any reasons. Getting a berth in the Central cabinet is a privilege for any political party, but Naidu sought to project that his party was not interested in cabinet posts, but special package and special status to Andhra Pradesh. By doing so, he wanted to convey a message to the people that he was making a big sacrifice for the sake of the state.
Well, nobody would believe Naidu’s claims, but it is still a puzzle as to why he rejected Modi’s offer. Apparently, he thought if the TDP accepted the offer, the Opposition would attack him for mortgaging the interests of the state before the Centre.
At a time when there were demands from all quarters that the existing TDP ministers should resign from the Central cabinet for not granting special status, accepting another Cabinet post would only damage his reputation and send a wrong signal among the people.
Moreover, there are several serious contenders among the TDP MPs for the Cabinet berth and if one gets, there would be resentment from others. So, it is better not to give it to anybody, Naidu thought.
