Will BJP Reciprocate to Naidu’s Previous Help?

Rajya Sabha Elections for filling up three vacancies in Andhra Pradesh are nearing. TDP is confirmed to get two and is also looking at the seat which should normally go to the main Opposition Party. 44 MLAs should vote to get a Rajya Sabha seat in AP.

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After the defections of 23 MLAs, YSR Congress is left exactly with 44 MLAs now. TDP has 43 MLAs for the third seat. Normally, one or two MLAs coming to TDP Camp should do the trick for the Ruling Party but then the equations have changed in the last couple of days.

TDP’s 43 MLAs also include Four MLAs from BJP. With Naidu withdrawing his Ministers from the Union Cabinet, it has to be seen how BJP behaves in the election. If it decides to stay neutral or vote in favor of YSR Congress, TDP will need Five More MLAs from YSR Congress.

That is not an easy calculation at this juncture. There are speculations that TDP may decide against going for the third seat if BJP does not extend its support to the TDP’s Candidate. In such case, YSR Congress’ Candidate, Vemreddy Prabhakar Reddy will sail through unopposed. Naidu previously helped BJP’s candidates – Nirmala Sitaraman and Suresh Prabhu to get nominated to Rajya Sabha. It has to be seen if BJP reciprocates to that.