Reports suggest that TDP Supremo Chandrababu Naidu is reviewing his party’s strategy for the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election and local body polls in Telangana. Political observers believe he is considering extending the Andhra Pradesh alliance model of TDP, Janasena, and BJP to Telangana.
However, this alliance plan faces several challenges. In earlier elections, BJP sought Janasena’s support without giving it enough space to contest. During the GHMC polls, Janasena was denied a single seat, and in the Assembly elections, it received only a handful of constituencies.
If this pattern repeats, TDP might be wiser to stay away from the contest altogether. The party skipped the 2023 elections when Naidu was in jail and had no time to prepare. Since then, TDP has had no Telangana president for more than two years, leaving the organisation inactive.
Naidu has also done little to rebuild or strengthen the party in Telangana. Without active leadership or groundwork, supporting others without contesting doesn’t make strategic sense. But if BJP offers TDP a few seats, it could re-energise its cadre and local leaders.
This could be an ideal moment for such a move since TDP is now in power in Andhra Pradesh. Still, the final decision rests with Chandrababu Naidu. Meanwhile, BJP may hesitate to formalise the alliance, fearing it could give the party an “Andhra colour” in Telangana politics.
If TDP enters the fray, KCR and his party are expected to use the “Chandrababu Naidu card” heavily during campaigns. That makes this alliance a complex decision for the Saffron Party as well.
The Telangana State Election Commission will hold rural local body elections in five phases from October 9 to November 11. The Jubilee Hills by-election is also scheduled for November 11 and will serve as an early test for the Revanth Reddy government.
