The Modi government at the Centre did not show any partiality between Andhra and Telangana. Both states got no major allocations. This is the first time that Andhra is treated equally on a par with Telangana ever since the 2014 separate statehood. Everybody expected angry and furious reactions from KCR and Jaganmohan Reddy. But for obvious reasons, they fell silent. Both CMs are apparently shocked at the lack of any additional support to their prestigious irrigation projects like Kaleswaram in Telangana and Polavaram in AP.

Political observers say that the Federal Front partners have no other option except to remain silent. They have seen what would happen if they embarrass PM Modi any further. KCR once used his secret friendship with BJP to finish off the Congress but now the Modi-Shah duo turned the heat on his own TRS party. Jagan has his own personal reasons not to question Modi openly. Both CMs got huge victories but they are now totally isolated and are under threat from BJP’s changed political manoeuvres. This is amply clear from the BJP’s new focus on budget allocations.