Desperate Naidu sends another feeler to Jaganmohan Reddy

After the grand failure of the Mahakutami, Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu is trying his best to keep himself relevant in both the national and state politics. Over the last few months, he has been conducting meetings with the leaders of various regional and national parties, seeking their support in his bid to form an anti-BJP coalition. He enthusiastically brought the motion of no confidence in the parliament against the Modi government and has been on a spree of mindless tirades against the incumbent government.

Naidu, in his attempt to stay politically relevant and to keep BJP away, might not hesitate in forming an alliance with arch-rival YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy. Speaking to News18, Naidu said, “If at all he (Reddy) wins any seats, let him come and support us, nothing wrong in it.” He said this during a day-long dharna in the national capital for special status for Andhra Pradesh.

So far, Naidu has not been successful enough in striking alliances and Reddy might also turn down Naidu’s offer. To quote Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) chief, YS Jaganmohan Reddy, “Naidu himself had argued in the assembly that special status for Andhra was not required and he was only seeking a special package for the state. The man who argued against the special status is now sitting on a protest for the same in Delhi. That is the kind of man he is.”

In recent times, Jaganmohan Reddy has made several crucial moves that may have long term effects. YSR successfully completed his Praja Sankalpa Yatra, meeting people belonging to various sections of society, across the length and breadth of the state of Andhra Pradesh. His father and the late Congress leader- YS Rajasekhara (YSR) Reddy’s 1,400km long foot-march resulted in the defeat of Chandrababu Naidu and he (YSR) becoming the CM. Jagan is trying to follow the footsteps of his father.

The main opposition party- (YSRCP) has also highlighted Naidu’s betrayal to NTR’s legacy. The TDP was formed by NT Rama Rao with the mission to get Andhra Pradesh rid of Congress. After 36 years, TDP has ended up joining hands with the Congress in Telangana and Naidu seems to have left no stone unturned in ruining the tenets of the TDP. It would be interesting to see how the people of Andhra Pradesh react to Naidu’s opportunism in the upcoming elections.  

For more details: Chandrababu Naidu withers away NTR’s legacy

Furthermore, Jaganmohan Reddy is expected to meet Telangana CM KCR in Vishakhapattnam on February 14. Both the leaders will script strategies to remove Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu from power. KCR termed it as a ‘return gift’ to Naidu for contesting in the recently concluded Telangana assembly elections. Earlier this month, his son- KTR– also met with Jagan and discussed the federal front and many other issues related to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Various media surveys have predicted that things might go in favour of Jaganmohan Reddy. According to a The News Minute report, in a survey carried out by the ‘Political Stock Exchange Programme’ by India Today and My Axis in September 2018, around 43% of respondents preferred Jaganmohan Reddy as the next Chief Minister of the state, while 38% supported the incumbent CM, N Chandrababu Naidu.

According to an opinion poll by Republic TV-CVoter in December, the YSRCP could win 14 out of the 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh, and the remaining seats may go to the Congress-TDP alliance. As per the survey, YSRCP’s will get a vote share of 41.6 percent while the TDP-Congress alliance would be able to bag 38.2 percent of the vote share only.

Moreover, Andhraites also want to get rid of the false promises and outdated drama of the TDP Chief. Entering into a post-poll alliance with Naidu would be no less than political blunder for Jaganmohan Reddy.