The recent near-war situation with Pakistan has created pro-Modi mood to some extent among the voters in many parts of the country. But Andhra Pradesh stands as an exception to this. Unlike in other states, strong anti-Centre feelings are continuing across AP largely because of the betrayal sentiment. The strong feeling is that the BJP government at the Centre did not do enough to address the injustice done to AP at the time of bifurcation.

There’s election time speculation every where on how much impact the surgical strikes will cause on voters in favour of the BJP. PM Modi and other BJP leaders have talked a lot on how their party government fought bravely with Pakistan unlike the earlier Congress government. Such election rhetoric improved the ratings for Modi every where except AP.

Analysts say two factors are mainly responsible for this scenario. The AP people are still very angry against the separate statehood and how their future prospects are damaged without fulfilling the reorganization promises. Secondly, CM Chandrababu Naidu’s experience and tactful leadership in highlighting the betrayal of AP’s bifurcation promises.