Now that power star and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan has thrown up an open offer to the Telugu Desam Party led by former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu for an alliance, it has triggered massive speculations in the political and media circles.
Many of the TDP leaders are taking it easy with Pawan Kalyan’s proposal and are of view that there is no question of any compromise on the number of seats the TDP would contest in the next elections.
They say the party is ready to concede a few seats to the alliance partner, but not to the extent that the TDP would get less than the absolutely majority mark. It is also not ready to compromise on the chief ministerial candidate.
However, the TDP is still eager to join the alliance if the BJP agrees for the same. Though the BJP is not a big force in the state, an alliance with the BJP would help Naidu get a solid backing from the Centre.
The TDP chief has realized that he had done a big mistake by revolting against BJP central leadership in general and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular; and the BJP has ultimately helped the YSR Congress led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy wrest power from the TDP.
So, the TDP is willing to come down a few steps for the BJP, but not the Jana Sena Party. According to party sources, the TDP is ready to offer as many as 13 Lok Sabha seats, out of 25, to the BJP, if the latter agrees for the alliance.
Naidu’s priority is now to come to power in Andhra Pradesh and not the Centre. At the same time, he knows that BJP’s interest is to win the general elections at the Centre and not the state.
So, if he can help the BJP win more MP seats from Andhra, he is of the view that the BJP would help the TDP come to power in the state – a quid pro quo gesture. In the process, if Jana Sena is part of the alliance, it is all the more useful for the TDP.
However, it is learnt the BJP has not given any response to the TDP’s offer. The state party leaders are dead against making any friendship with Naidu again.
“We are okay with the first option of forging an alliance with the Jana Sena. We shall fight the elections together. However, who will step down as part of alliance will be known soon. We are not ready to make sacrifices for any other party,” BJP vice-president Vishnuvardhan Reddy said.