The signals coming out of the TDP indicate that it is slowly inching towards snipping alliance with BJP. Though when the ruling of Andhra Pradesh would severe the bond with BJP is not clear, TDP supremo Chandrababu Nadu appears to be preparing the ground for the ‘historic’ announcement.
Party source agree that Naidu is not too happy with NDA government because he is not getting anything extra as the partner of NDA. The Centre is treating Andhra Pradesh and Naidu as any other state and chief minister respectively while the BJP’s southern ally thought that the center would always keep the red carpet rolled out whenever the CM was in national capital.
If one remembers Naidu’s statement in the immediate aftermath of his assumption of office, he expected that he would be in great demand in Delhi for consultations by the NDA regularly. He announced that he would be staying in Delhi three days a week. There was even some talk that most experienced Naidu would be appointed chairman NDA. And the Chief Minister also created an impression that funds would flow down from New Delhi to Andhra Pradesh on regular basis. Amid this euphoria Naidu sought Rs one lakh crore assistance. However, his hopes dashed when Modi announced that the CMs need not visit New Delhi for funds and the finance commission recommended equal treatment for all states, whether ruled by allies like Naidu and foes like Nitis Kumar of BJP.
Above all, of late, much to the discomfort of Naidu, the NDA government has developed a soft corner for Telangana chief minister K Chndrasekhar Rao, who made life hell for Naidu and his party in Hyderabad.
Though KCR has almost liquidated the TDP in Telangana, BJP, it is said, has plans to take TRS into union cabinet. So, Naidu seems to have come to an understanding that alliance with BJP may not lost long. Breaking up with BJP would benefit more Naidu as he can conveniently say that for all the ills f the state, centre and Modi are responsible.
He appears to be visualizing a situation before 2019 when BJP would become another rival in the state for him. So, Naidu is said to have devised a grand strategy to break away from the alliance which neither treated him honorably nor helped the state liberally.
This is how Naidu recasting his political strategy in the state:
1) He suddenly started wooing the Muslims in the state. For the first time in the past two years, he talked about Muslims’ welfare and legal fight for the revival of 4 pc reservations announced by YSR government before 2009.
2. For the first time, he talked of taking a Muslim in to his cabinet
3. Though his party had no Muslim representation he never expressed regrets as he had been in the warm comfort provided by BJP.
4. To blunt the criticism that he was ignoring the Muslims to please the BJP, Naidu has got the lone Muslim leader Sheriff elected MLC.
5, Now, he lured a Muslim MLA from YSRC into TDP.
6. He attended a Muslim meeting and announced that a Muslim would be made a minister soon.
Before he makes the historic announcement about the breaking up of alliance with BJP , Naidu wants to ensure that opposition leader Jagan is finished. Sending Jagan to jail looks improbable, which the TDP thought would make the party redundant. He began admitting YSRC MLAs into party and attracting Kapu leaders such as MLA Jyothula Nehru, so that BJP would have no prominent leader to be taken into its fold when alliance is broken and Pawan Kalyan,if he allies with the saffron party, would be ineffective.
