After a prolonged dilemma, the Telugu Desam Party has decided to withdraw from the contest in the upcoming assembly elections in Telangana, dampening the spirits of the party leaders in the state.
Lokesh, speaking to a delegation of Telangana TDP leaders led by Kasani Gyaneshwar, stated that the party cannot afford to participate in the state's assembly elections given the present circumstances prevailing within the party.
He mentioned that the party is currently going through a rough phase and an unprecedented crisis following the arrest of the party president and former chief minister, Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
"Under these circumstances, the entire party is focusing on Andhra Pradesh. Hence, no leader would be able to dedicate time and resources to Telangana at present. If any party leader wishes to contest individually, we shall extend all possible support. However, as a matter of policy, the party won’t contest the elections in Telangana," Lokesh is understood to have conveyed to them.
On Monday, Gyaneshwar also informed reporters that the party had a list of around 80 candidates ready, but he was awaiting clarity from the party regarding contesting the elections.
Recently, Naidu’s brother-in-law and senior actor Nandamuri Balakrishna had a discussion with Gyaneshwar and other Telangana TDP leaders and cadre. He requested them to wait for the party’s decision on contesting the elections.
In the meantime, the party lost several senior candidates, including former MP Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy, who joined the Bharat Rashtra Samithi.
The TDP leadership has apparently given its word to the BJP central leadership that it won’t field its candidates and split the anti-establishment vote, at least in some constituencies, which would give an edge to the BRS.
There is speculation that the TDP assured the BJP leadership that it would indirectly support BJP candidates wherever possible.
Meanwhile, the Jana Sena Party, which has an alliance with the BJP, will contest the Telangana polls. The BJP is expected to allocate a few seats to the Jana Sena as part of the agreement, and since the TDP is not in the fray, it might benefit both the Jana Sena and the BJP.