BJP keen on backing YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh, rates it above TDP

After an initial forward movement, the possibility of a BJP-Telugu Desam Party (TDP) alliance in Andhra Pradesh appears to be dissipating as the BJP is keen on backing the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The final call on a possible alliance or any electoral understanding with the TDP would be taken only after a more thorough assessment of the political situation, said sources in the BJP.

Naidu, who is in Delhi at present, is not likely to meet any BJP leaders unlike in June when he had a late evening meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda. Those meetings set off a buzz about the possible alliance between the former allies ahead of the coming elections — both the Lok Sabha and the Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. On Monday, Naidu along with his party leaders met Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar to complain about the alleged inclusion of a massive number of bogus voters in the electoral rolls of Andhra Pradesh.

The YSRCP’s comfortable electoral position is apparently making the BJP rethink its overtures to the TDP, which has been desperate to return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), sources in the BJP said. Reddy has so far resisted pressure from the BJP to formally join the NDA but has been supporting the Narendra Modi-led government in every crucial moment. The YSRCP opposed the no-confidence motion that the Congress moved during the Monsoon Session and also voted in favour of the government on the National Capital Territory (NCT) Amendment Bill. The Bill has subsequently become law and has been described by the Opposition as a violation of the principle of federalism for sidelining an elected government and handing over control of civil servants to the Lieutenant Governor.