Decoding the YSRCP-BRS relationship: United by political — and personal — interests

YSRCP leader Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy’s recent comments accusing the Congress of targeting YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and the Andhra party’s social media attacks on Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A Revanth Reddy, a former TDP leader, fuelled the debate on the political relationship between the YSRCP and the BRS and gave rise to the question: Are they allies or opposed to each other?

Also Read: With Naidu out of Telangana polls, who will get TDP vote pie?

The BRS-YSRCP bonhomie

After the formation of Telangana, the YSRCP contested the 2014 elections and secured one Lok Sabha seat out of 13 constituencies where it had its candidates. It also won a vote share of 4.5 percent. In the Assembly elections, it had 92 candidates in the fray, and three won as the party secured a vote share of 3.4 percent.

However, the YSRCP’s lone MP in Telangana and the three MLAs later shifted allegiance to the BRS, and the party thereafter refrained from contesting the polls in Telangana.

The BRS, too, did not contest the polls in Andhra after the formation of Telangana in 2014.

But in an interesting turn of events, the TDP and the Congress joined hands against the BRS (then TRS) in 2018. While the BRS secured a landslide victory, the TDP faltered in Telangana and, a year later, in Andhra Pradesh as well.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had then gone on record saying a “return gift” would be presented to Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh. His reference was to Naidu campaigning in Telangana against the BRS.

In the 2019 elections, KCR sent campaign vehicles and leaders in support of the YSRCP. It cemented the bond between the two parties.

The adage, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” seemed to have played a role in the undeclared “alliance” between the BRS and the YSRCP.

Related: Why Naidu’s backing in Telangana is key for BJP, gamble for TDP

Impact in Andhra

As the Congress strives to regain its glory and form governments at the Union and state levels, the victory in the Karnataka Assembly elections has sent a political message. The win has added extra vigour to party leaders and workers in Telangana.

If the Congress emerges successful in Telangana, it might try its luck in Andhra Pradesh as well. Jagan’s sister YS Sharmila and her YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) are getting closer to the Congress, and if she joins the Congress, it could add to the YSRCP’s woes.

Considering the potential impact of a Congress win in Telangana on Andhra Pradesh, Rajanikanth Errabelly, founder of Rastra, a political consultancy, told South First that the win would likely have an impact in Andhra Pradesh, but not immediately.

Related: Who benefits by Pawan Kalyan’s entry into Telangana election fray?

Stakes in Telangana

It is not just about the Congress winning in Andhra Pradesh. Reportedly, Jagan has business interests in Karnataka and Hyderabad, and the Congress winning both Karnataka and Telangana might harm him.

Revanth Reddy is a staunch critic of Jagan. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister’s relationship with the Congress high command has been strained ever since his revolt in 2011 that led to the formation of the YSRCP.

Prof E Venkateshu of the Department of Political Science at the University of Hyderabad and a member of CSDS Lokniti, told South First, “If you observe, Jagan does not have any confrontations with leaders outside Andhra Pradesh. He seems to be limiting himself to Andhra.”

“YS Jagan’s many properties in the Hyderabad region make him friendly with the BRS in Telangana,” he opined.