Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan set the tone for Andhra polls at Nara Lokesh’s Yuva Galam finale

According to estimates, over 2 lakh attendees of both parties from across the state joined the meeting.

However, the BJP is still absent, as it has not yet decided on its NDA ally Pawan Kalyan’s request to join the alliance with the TDP.

After Telangana polls: TDP looks to anti-incumbency; YSRCP dissects BRS loss

Rejuvenated hopes

The cadre of the TDP — which experienced a complete debacle in the 2019 elections, falling from 102 seats in 2014 to just 23 seats — is currently enduring challenging times.

That was exacerbated by the significant setback when party chief N Chandrababu Naidu was in judicial custody for nearly 50 days until recently. He was arrested in connection with an alleged scam in the skill development department during his tenure in office of Chief Minister.

With TDP scion Nara Lokesh completing a 3,132-km walkathon in 226 days, covering almost 100 Assembly constituencies, and Naidu obtaining regular bail in the skill development scam case, the party cadre is sensing rejuvenated hope.

For the TDP chief, this is a time to set the stage for the upcoming election and extend an invitation to Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan.

Addressing the gathering, Chandrababu Naidu announced that a joint election manifesto of the TDP and the Jana Sena would be prepared soon.

The manifesto is scheduled to be announced in one of the two meetings in Amaravati and Tirupati, in the presence of Pawan Kalyan and other TDP leaders. According to TDP sources, the manifesto is likely to be unveiled in January.

TDP scion Nara Lokesh showing the ‘red book’ with YSRCP supporting IAS and IPS officers’ names. (Supplied)

The TDP chief asserted that the YSRCP’s defeat had been decided on the day the TDP and the Jana Sena formed an alliance.

Pointing out that fear had begun to grip the YSRCP, he said that the ruling party’s chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was transferring and removing MLAs for exactly that reason.

Meanwhile, Nara Lokesh urged the people to elect TDP and Jana Sena candidates in at least 160 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha seats. He also pledged to take responsibility for the development of Andhra Pradesh.

Lokesh warned that all the names of those who violated the law were listed in the “Red Book”, and that they would face punishment through judicial inquiry.

Also read: Jana Sena draws a blank in Telangana; all candidates lose deposit

BJP in a quandary

The TDP, the Jana Sena, and the BJP contested elections in both Telugu states in 2014, with the TDP securing power in Andhra Pradesh.

However, as the elections approached and political compulsions arose, particularly regarding issues like Special Status for Andhra Pradesh, the TDP decided to quit the alliance.

Although Pawan Kalyan initially left the alliance with both the TDP and the BJP, he joined hands with the BJP again in 2020, and announced an alliance with the TDP after Naidu’s remand in Rajahmundry Central Jail in the second week of September this year.

Justifying his alliance with the TDP, Pawan Kalyan stated that he made this decision not for personal interest but for the state.

“Beyond individual benefits, class benefits, and party benefits, I stand for Andhra Pradesh. I did not prioritise my interests. This alliance decision is for the future of the 5-crore people of AP,” he emphasised.

He explained that despite being in alliance with the BJP-led NDA, he chose to contest with the TDP to safeguard the future of Andhra Pradesh.

He said if his party contested alone and the YSRCP won, there would be no choice but to confront YSRCP leaders with “sticks and swords”.

Pawan Kalyan also stated that he discussed these issues with BJP senior leaders like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing hope that the saffron party’s leadership would join the alliance soon.

Also read: Welfare, one capital, free sand key points in TDP-JSP manifesto 

Mini manifesto

Chandrababu Naidu reiterated some key points from the seven-point mini manifesto unveiled during the Mahandu event on 28 May:

• Under the Mahashakti Scheme, women over 18 years of age will receive ₹1,500 per month through Aadabidda Nidhi.
• Through Thalliki Vandhanam, women will receive ₹15,000 per year.
• Additionally, under the Deepam scheme, three gas cylinders will be provided free of cost per year, and women will have access to free bus travel.
• The TDP-Jana Sena alliance will generate 20 lakh jobs in five years in government and private sectors or through self-employment.
• Unemployed youth will receive ₹3,000 per month under the Yuvagalam Nidhi initiative.
• Farmers are promised ₹20,000 every year through the Annadata scheme.
• BCs will have a special protection act once TDP forms the government.