If the reports from New Delhi are to be believed, Bharatiya Janata Party might go it alone in the upcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh, without joining the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Party alliance.
A decision to this effect is likely to be taken at the BJP parliamentary board meeting to be held in New Delhi on December 21.
Though some BJP leaders like Y Satya Kumar, C M Ramesh and Sujana Chowdary are still trying to convince the BJP central leadership for an alliance with the TDP, there are no positive signals from it till now and the chances of any change of mind are bleak, sources said.
While the BJP central leadership has decided not to make any comments on its alliance with the Jana Sena Party, it may declare that it won’t entertain any kind of alliance with the TDP.
Sources said the BJP is planning to take out its trump card to win a few seats in Andhra Pradesh. The party is expected to go to polls with the slogan of making Kapu as the CM candidate, if it is voted to power in the elections.
“In Telangana, the BJP made a considerable gain in the vote share by declaring that it would make a Backward Classes leader as the chief minister if it was voted power. Though the slogan did not bring the BJP to power, but helped the party gain good number of seats – eight and also a good voting percentage, that would help the party gain advantage in Lok Sabha elections as well,” sources pointed out.
Similarly, the BJP is planning to cash in on the Kapu sentiment in Andhra. Realising that Kapus are not happy with Pawan Kalyan surrendering to TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, the BJP would go with the Kapu CM slogan.
Though everybody knows the BJP has absolutely no chances of coming to power in AP, it will at least help consolidate its position and make its presence felt in the state by luring a section of Kapu votes, party leaders believe.
However, a split in the Kapu votes and other sections by the BJP will ultimately benefit the ruling YSR Congress party. Therefore, the TDP and Jana Sena Party are contemplating adopting a softer approach towards the BJP.
“They will not utter a word against the BJP during the electioneering, and would focus on targeting the YSRCP. They would only appeal to the people, including Kapus, to adopt a cautious approach in the elections and see that the anti-incumbency vote doesn’t split in the best interest of the state,” sources said.