Why is TDP keen on aligning with BJP despite the heavy price it comes with?

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is accelerating the general election process and may announce the poll dates in mid-March.

Also Read: TDP-Jana Sena jointly announce first list of candidates for Andhra elections

Why is the TDP keen on BJP?

With uncertainty looming over the number of seats to be allocated to the BJP and their specific distribution, even seat-sharing between the TDP and Jana Sena has become quite challenging.

The question on everyone’s mind: Why is TDP so desperate for an alliance with the BJP?

It seems the TDP is eager to position itself alongside big brother Narendra Modi as a check on the YSRCP. The TDP suspects that the YSRCP has had covert blessings from the saffron party for the last five years, and by aligning with Modi, the TDP aims to signal to the YSRCP that the BJP’s support is not unconditional.

The TDP also hopes that a strong alliance with the BJP, potentially an unbreakable monolith after the Lok Sabha elections, would work in its favour. Leveraging the influence of central investigation agencies, the TDP aspires to sway the saffron party to favour them over the YSRCP.

Additionally, the TDP counts on the unofficial clout the Union government may have on the Election Commission, which could be advantageous in the run-up to the elections. Aligning with the BJP, the TDP aims to control the flow of money into the state to support the YSRCP’s campaign, with hopes of having access to the corridors of power at the Centre.

The TDP anticipates that the alliance with the saffron party will provide psychological strength, ensuring its safety under the protective wings of Narendra Modi. Despite the BJP’s negligible voter base in the state, the TDP yearns for reciprocation of its alliance with the saffron party.

The TDP seems willing to accept the expensive consequences of the deal should there by a tie-up. Losing minority voters in the Rayalaseema region is a significant sacrifice, as a considerable number of Muslims shifted to the YSRCP after the 2014 elections when the TDP aligned with the BJP. Despite a temporary shift in perception when Naidu distanced from the BJP before the 2019 elections, doubts persist as he tries to rekindle ties.

Also Read: Narasapuram’s Raghu Ramakrishna Raju resigns from YSRCP with scathing letter

Alliance more risky than beneficial

Analysts argue that for the TDP, seeking an alliance with the BJP is riskier than beneficial. The latent public resentment against the BJP for its role in the state’s division and unfulfilled promises poses a significant challenge.

More than anything, the people of Andhra Pradesh may disapprove of the TDP aligning with the BJP, recalling the the BJP’s backtracking on “special category” status during the state’s division. The perceived covert support of the BJP for Jagan Mohan Reddy’s actions against Chandrababu Naidu further complicates the TDP’s decision.

The TDP cadres believe that Jagan Mohan would not have resorted to the misadventure of arresting Naidu in the skill development scam without the covert blessings of the BJP.

The BJP, on its part, does not show overwhelming enthusiasm to align with TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. With limited stakes in Andhra Pradesh and a strong position in national politics, the BJP possibly sees no need to bend over backward to please Naidu. The party may not hold the TDP chief in the same regard as it did in 2014, given the political shifts and Naidu’s previous alliance decisions.

Also Read: Why Jagan Mohan Reddy is unperturbed over YSRCP lawmakers deserting him

TDP and BJP’s complex history

The complex history between Naidu and the BJP adds another layer. After the 2014 elections, Naidu, in alliance with the BJP, advocated continuing the partnership for the sake of building the reorganised state of Andhra Pradesh brick by brick, seeing the support from the Union government as sine qua non. Naidu had said that the ambitious Amaravati he had in mind would not be possible without the help of the Union government.

However, the BJP reneged on the special category status commitment, creating discomfort among the state’s people. The subsequent breakup with the BJP in 2018, ahead of the 2019 elections, portrayed Naidu as politically pliable, contributing to his defeat to the YSRCP-led Jagan Mohan Reddy.