May shop for allies, says Pawan Kalyan as BJP confirms TDP snub before Andhra Pradesh elections

Pawan Kalyan has been strongly pitching for a TDP-BJP-Jana Sena alliance — a repeat of 2014 — while the BJP is not keen to ally with the TDP.

BySNV Sudhir

Published Jan 24, 2023 | 8:26 PMUpdatedJan 24, 2023 | 8:53 PM

Andhra Pradesh BJP chief Somu Veerraju. (Supplied)

While the BJP on Tuesday, 24 January, dropped enough hints that there would not be an alliance with the TDP,  actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan — who leads the Jana Sena, the saffron party’s ally in Andhra Pradesh — categorically said he would look for new allies if the BJP wanted to break ties with him.

Pawan Kalyan has been strongly pitching for a TDP- BJP-Jana Sena alliance — a repeat of 2014 — whereas the BJP is not keen to ally with the TDP.

The Jana Sena chief also met TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu at least twice in recent times.

It is understood that in the last meeting held in the first week of January, both leaders came to an understanding to have an alliance in the 2024 polls. However, they didn’t admit to the alliance in public.

Pawan Kalyan, after the meeting, also said he would talk to the BJP central leadership about the necessity for all the Opposition parties to join hands and put up a joint fight against the YSRCP.

The BJP makes its stand clear

Against this backdrop, the BJP’s state executive meeting held in Bhimavaram gained significance.

BJP national leaders, Union ministers V Muraleedharam and Bharati Pawar, and state party chief Somu Veerraju made it clear to the participants of the meeting that the saffron party would not have any alliance with dynastic parties like the TDP or the YSRCP, and would put forward an alternative force in the state.

The political resolution passed in the state executive meeting also said that the BJP would strive to emerge as an alternative to both the YSRCP and the TDP.

Interestingly, the resolution also said one of these two parties would be wiped out after the 2024 elections.

Somu Veerraju, at the state executive meeting, lashed out at the TDP and YSRCP governments, saying neither party had done anything for the state except promote corruption since 2014.

“Our party will stay away from corrupt, family-oriented, and dynastic politics and fight against them. A double-engine sarkar at the Centre and the state will help develop Andhra Pradesh. We will emerge as an alternative force in the state,” said Veerraju.

Pawan Kalyan responds

Even as BJP made it clear that it would not go with the TDP, Pawan Kalyan on the same day said he would look for new allies if the BJP drifted away from the Jana Sena.

Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday performed “Vahana Puja” for his poll campaign vehicle Varahi at the Kondagattu Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple at Jagtial in Telangana.

Talking to reporters after offering special prayers at the temple, he said, “At present, the Jana Sena is in alliance with the BJP and hoping that it will continue.”

He added: “If the BJP wants to break ties, we shall think of new allies. Even if that doesn’t happen, we will contest all alone in 2024. Alliances can be decided by the time of polls.”