The TDP circles are hopeful of a positive fall out of BJP’s Bihar debacle. The fall of Prime Minister was sparked an intense debate among the party leaders and they are all hopeful of return of good old days for chief minister Chandrabab Naidu in New Delhi. In fact, due to political reasons, TDP leaders have been silent on the Prime Minister Modi’s not so friendly attitude towards Andhra Pradesh and chief minister Naidu.
Naidu has been treated by Modi’s dispensation like any other chief minister in the country. No importance has been extended to Naidu even though he had been a trusted ally. In the very first meeting with prime Minister Modi, Naidu was reportedly told that chief ministers need not come over to New Delhi for funds and projects. All states would get due share and the centre would come calling to the states and discuss the schemes and projects. There were occasion when Naidu did not get appointment in Delhi due to PM’s reported busy schedule. This was in stark contrast with importance Naidu enjoyed in Delhi during days of United Front and NDA led by Vajpayee. Naidu was most sought after leader in Delhi. Many times, NDA looked towards Naidu for political fire fighting. That were the days when Naidu earned the title the “King Maker'”. During Modi’s time, Naidu’s image has got diminished. For Modi, there are no friends as he is not dependent on anybody. So, he developed a body language that conveys a message that ” I am the boss” or “the emperor”. In fact this is not out of any disaffection for Naidu. But the ideological stance Modi donned after the huge mandate in 2014.
Modi thought the people of India, fed up with too much federalism, voted him to build a new strong nation, a unitary Hindu India, where states are lesser mortals. This emboldened Modi to say that there was no need for the CMs to New Delhi every other week, knock at the 7 RCR and demand this project or that scheme. As the emperor of the country, he knows who needs what and what needs to be done.This attitude is a slap on the face of Naidu.
Immediately after the formation government, Naidu thought he would be the second most important man in Delhi with his king-maker past and would be needed every other day for consultations . So, Naidu declared that he would be staying in Delhi two days in week, three days in Vijayawada and two days in Hyderabad. Modi spoiled Naidu’s scheme and punctured his self-importance. Consequently Naidu had to accept Modi as the right leader of the country and openly acknowledge that he was lucky to have a leader like Modi at the helm of country affairs, while terribly disturbed inside.
Many a time, Naidu had to rein in his ministers and MLAs against falling prey to intemperance. Because any untimely rupture would cause more damage as YS Jagan is waiting for an opportunity to join hands with BJP. Against this backdrop Bihar elections was very important for TDP leaders. In fact, many senior leaders wished in their heart of hearts that Modi should get a drubbing and should forced to realize that nobody was invincible in democracy. What they expected has happened and are eagerly awaiting a sea change in Modi’s self-assessment. They are hopeful that Modi would realize the importance of having friends and necessity to treat them on equal footing.
