A full scale war seems to have broken out between the ruling TDP and its ally BJP in Andhra Pradesh. The war is the result of the sense insecurity in BJP leadership generated by little progress the party made in consolidating the win in 2014 and the immediacy to conquer new areas by 2019. And for TDP, it has stemmed from the Naidu’s policy of disallowing the BJP leaders, especially with Congress ancestry, from coming nearer to the government. Naidu has mastered the art of extracting much without giving anything. He wants the BJP friendship only to milk the union government and doesn’t want to give scope for the party to expand in Andhra Pradesh by giving its leaders a share in the developmental activities. Though a partner in state government, BJP has no role whatsoever either in government or outside. Normally, coalitions governments appoint coordination committees with leaders from constituent parties to accommodate each other’s views. They meet now and then and iron out differences.
In Andhra Pradesh, Naidu long back announced, after a meeting with PM Modi, that he would appoint coordination committees at state, district, and mandal level. Had Naidu stuck to his word, this would have given the BJP a sense of belonging as coordination meetings would help BJP to secure some benefits from the welfare programs to its constituents. Naidu is not ready to cede an inch to the BJP anywhere. All tall leaders who enjoyed power for decades such as Purandeswari, Kanna Lakshminarayana, Kavuri Sambasiva Rao and their ilk are peeved as they have no role whatsoever in their ‘own’ government. A massive developmental program is going on in their backyard but without their involvement. Naidu has taken all measures to prevent any constituency in the state slip into the influence of saffron party. This suffocation compelled BJP leaders barring some strong pro-TDP elements to jump into the conclusion that by 2019, if the same situation continues, the BJP would not grow beyond remaining an appendage of TDP or degenerate into pre-2014 levels. The result is BJP’s migration towards Rayalaseema.
Why Rayalaseema?
Rayalaseema has become SHAR for state BJP. All anti -Chandrababu Naidu guided missiles have been launched only from this region. The leaders’ tours in the region are unending. If one can study the statements launched by Purandeswari, Kanna, Kavuri etc one can easily discern that there is a connection between anti-Naidu talk and Rayalaseema region. The region is well located to fire missiles at Chandrababu Naidu for many reasons such as:
1. Rayalaseema has become hostile to Naidu following location of capital at Amaravati.
2. Rayalaseema is now facing acute water problem while water from Srisailam is released downwards ignoring the protests from the people
3. Rayalaseema’s irrigation projects are being implemented at snail’s pace as, they suspect ,entire money is being diverted to Amaravati construction
4. TDP government has not done anything to the region in past 17 months while NDA is yet to announce a special package to the backward region.
5. Not a word is spoken about the steel plant in Kadapa district etc.
So, with resentment widespread, BJP finds the region virgin soil for ‘Saffron’ cultivation. The leaders have chosen a rhetoric that is music to the ears Rayalaseema people.
The slogans of the BJP are :
A. Take Krishna water downward only after meeting needs of Rayalaseema
B. The region can no longer be ignored. It gives scope for separate state movement.
C. Announce drought contingent program etc.
In Kadapa on Wednesday, BJP leaders Somu Veerraju, Kavuri Sambasiva Rao and Shantha Reddy advised the TDP leaders to change their mindset towards the BJP. They urged TDP leaders to accept the BJP as an ally and work in tandem. They accused TDP leaders of amassing wealth through smuggling of red sanders and illegal sand quarrying.
TDP Reaction
Instead of buckling under pressure from its nano-ally BJP, which won assembly seats at it’s mercy, TDP launched scathing attack on BJP leaders with Congress ancestry and accused them of trying to create rift between TDP and BJP. TDP’s Buddha Venkanna launched personal attack on these leaders taking the skirmish into a battle. A senior TDP leader told ‘telugu360.com’ that TDP president Naidu had already informed the BJP leadership of the problems being created by these BJP leaders. But, there is an impression in the party that the revolt against TDP in the BJP is not locally manufactured but it is being directed from 11, Akbar Road, New Delhi. A section in the party thinks that the party cannot emerge stronger if it remains an extension of TDP. The leadership is said to have asked the AP leaders to search for new areas (Rayalaseema) and communities (Reddys and Kapus) to expand into. Rayalaseema issue and reopening of Ranga murder controversy, they say, are part of the game plan.
