Has YSRCP president and Andhra Pradesh CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy decided to go ahead with forging alliance with the BJP only on the advice of his favourite spiritual guru Swamy Swaroopanandendra of Visakha Sarada Peetham?
The answer is yes, according to sources close to Swamiji. While Jagan has been getting feelers from the BJP central leadership inviting the YSRC to join the NDA government, he has not been able to take any concrete decision fearing losing of minority votes.
However, after Jagan met Union home minister Amit Shah in the last week of September to have first round of talks on the subject, he seems to have changed his mind. But there were still some apprehensions in his mind.
So, he sent his close aide and YSRC general secretary V Vijay Sai Reddy to Sarada Peetham seer Swamy Swaroopanandendra last week to take the latter’s advice. Apparently, the Swamiji gave a green signal to YSRC joining the NDA, stating that it would be in the best interest of both the sides.
He apparently told the YSRC leaders that it would help Jagan not only get additional benefits to the state from the Centre, but also silence the Hindutva forces which were going aggressive against the government by making wild allegations on Tirumala and also of attacks on temples.
If YSRC joins the NDA, it would also demoralise the Telugu Desam Party led by N Chandrababu Naidu who was desperately trying to get closer to the BJP again. Since BJP becomes an ally of the YSRC, it cannot raise its voice against the YSRC government.
So, there will be virtually no opposition to Jagan in the near future, Swamiji reportedly told the YSRC leaders.