Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan have agreed in principle to have an alliance for the coming election in Andhra Pradesh. Both parties want to have BJP in the alliance anticipating the support of the Central Government.
The BJP-led Central Government tugged the hands of Chandrababu Naidu after the election code via the Election Commission of India. We have seen Chandrababu being completely helpless despite being the Chief Minister while the Central Government moved its pawns through the air-dropped Chief Secretary.
Both Chandrababu and Pawan Kalyan are worried about that scenario once again if BJP is not on their side. So, they are keen on having BJP in the alliance even though it adds no value.
But then, BJP’s strategies are very different.
Take the example of the Telangana BJP. The party has a real chance in the coming election. If not for coming to power, they can become a formidable force. But then, BJP struck a secret deal with BRS and put its own party in self-destruction mode.
BJP believes KCR is better placed to eliminate Congress in Telangana than itself. Also, it wants the support of BRS MPs in case of a tight finish in 2024 and traded the interests of Telangana BJP for that support.
If this is the case of Telangana where BJP has some hope, there is absolutely nothing to lose in Andhra Pradesh.
There is no reason why it would desert Jagan Mohan Reddy and support Chandrababu Naidu.
Jagan is someone who can be controlled using his CBI and ED cases irrespective of whether he is in power or not. At the same time, Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan can not be controlled as such.
So, BJP will be on YSR Congress’s side itself. Even if there is an alliance, one can expect BJP to backstab the partners.
How simply the party sacrificied its own interests in Telangana should be an eye-opener for Chandrababu and Pawan Kalyan.
