The meeting of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday indicates that the BJP is spoiled for choice when it comes to Andhra Pradesh, with the state’s ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) keen on friendly ties and the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) expecting to be welcomed back into the NDA fold. The long-overdue meeting, during which Jagan reportedly repeated the demand for Special Category Status for Andhra, lasted around 30 minutes and went off well, the CM told reporters. Jagan’s meeting with Modi incidentally followed immediately after discussions between the PM, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J P Nadda in the new Parliament building. The development would have been watched closely by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who has been in the national capital for a couple of days, and earlier met Shah. Sources from both sides indicated later that the BJP had clinched a deal with the TDP and its ally Jana Sena Party (JSP) for the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls coming up in Andhra. Under Jagan, the YSRCP has extended support to the BJP at the Centre on its legislative initiatives on almost every critical occasion. However, a section in the BJP has reportedly been miffed with him for holding back on a formal alliance. The YSRCP, which enjoys the support of the minorities in the state, is believed to have been wary that an alliance could affect its prospects both in the state and national elections. Sources said Jagan’s remarks earlier this week that he wishes that no party comes to power with an absolute majority in the next Lok Sabha elections – as that left states with little bargaining power – also did not go down well with the BJP. Another black mark against the YSRCP chief is believed to have been the dramatic arrest of Naidu in the alleged skill development corporation scam amidst the Modi government's showpiece G20 Summit last September. The YSRCP, however, is keen on getting on the right side of the BJP, and its leaders said the party would not go into attacks against the BJP even if it eventually allies with the TDP-JSP. “Why should we attack the BJP? We have an equidistance policy,” a senior party leader said. Incidentally, Jagan too is facing the heat from central agencies, while the party is conscious of the risk of poaching by the BJP. According to sources, at least two sitting MPs are in “discussions” with the BJP to migrate. Two MPs recently quit the party – Raghu Rama Krishna Raju (Narasapuram), and Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (Narasaraopet). In the case of the TDP, while it is ready to share five to six seats with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP, which is keen to win the maximum seats on its own symbol, has demanded more, sources said. Talks have reportedly been on between the two parties for several months, and further discussions will now be held on the division of seats. Naidu may not put up much of a resistance as, sources said, he wants to regain the “trust and support of the BJP leadership” to “protect the interests of his party”, while fighting to return to power. The BJP central leadership sees it as only a win-win as friendly ties with the YSRCP plus an official alliance with the TDP-JSP would assure at least some of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra, where the party’s prospects are otherwise seen as grim. In 2019, the YSRCP had won 22 of the seats and the TDP 3. The state BJP unit, though, has had reservations regarding a tie-up. Many state leaders believe going it alone is better for the BJP to strengthen its cadre and spread its roots in the southern state. The Congress, which had been reduced to a mere spectator in the previous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state having won no seats, will be hoping that a friendly triangular contest between the BJP, TDP and YSRCP could come to its benefit. It is also pumped after its win next door in the Telangana Assembly polls last year.
