Jagan hopes for a govt at Centre ‘that will rely on us for support’, not have absolute majority

The YSRCP chief says this while talking about the long wait for special category status; remarks coincide with talk that TDP may revive its alliance with BJP

The YSRCP CM has been talking of a repeat landslide, and pushing party leaders and cadre as he targets all 175 Assembly seats. Express file photo

AMID TALK of a possible alliance between the BJP and its rival TDP ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, which are held simultaneously in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that he wishes that no party comes to power with an absolute majority in the next Lok Sabha elections, as that left the state with little bargaining power.

“I wish any party that comes to power will rely on the YSRCP for support. If there is a government that is favourable to us, then we can bargain for special category status,’’ Jagan said, while replying to a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address in the Assembly on Tuesday evening.

He also spoke about reduction in devolution of funds from the Centre, an issue on which other states in the South have been raising the heat. The Congress-led Karnataka government and LDF-led Kerala ministry are holding protests in Delhi over the issue, and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin has extended his support to them.

The BJP and TDP are seen inching towards an alliance which the TDP has long been keen on, with their common friend Jana Sena Party acting as the go-between. On Wednesday, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who is facing four cases and is out on bail, was scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

The BJP has been holding out on finalising the tie-up, reportedly because it is weighing the merits and demerits of aligning with the TDP as compared to the YSRCP. Jagan has consciously maintained “friendly” relations with the Modi government through its tenure.

The YSRCP CM has been talking of a repeat landslide, and pushing party leaders and cadre as he targets all 175 Assembly seats.

Expressing frustration at Andhra not getting the special status, which was promised by the then UPA government at the time of its bifurcation to create Telangana in 2014, Jagan said in his speech in the Assembly that the state did not have the option to fight for the status legally. “The least I wish is for a favourable government at the Centre.”

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Referring to devolution of funds to states, he said: “Braving the odds of reduction in devolution of Central funds and reduced tax revenues during the last five years due to several reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic, that resulted in a Rs 66,116 crore revenue loss, the government has excelled in fiscal discipline, debt management, planning and the implementation of a slew of welfare schemes transparently.”

Attacking Naidu, Jagan said the TDP chief’s promises to people are picked up from election manifestos of winning parties in other states. Claiming that his government has fulfilled its promises in comparison, he said the YSRCP will sweep the elections again and introduce a full-fledged Budget after three months.

Sreenivas Janyala

Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance. Expertise and Experience Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues: High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy. Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules. Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes. Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak. Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More