BRS leadership in dilemma over joining BJP-led NDA

SNCN ACHARYULU
The BRS leadership is in a dilemma over joining the BJP-led NDA. The main problem is the fear whether the party’s activists would accept the decision to join the NDA.
Already some BRS leaders including MLAs and MLCs have left the BRS and joined the Congress. If the BRS joins the NDA some more leaders may leave the party citing joining the NDA as the reason. If this happens the BRS will become very weak.
In Telangana, there are several Assembly constituencies where Muslims are the deciding factor. Once the BRS joins the NDA the party will lose the support of Muslims. Keeping this in mind, BRS leaders may join the Congress. Moreover, if BRS leaders oppose the decision of the leadership it will lose its image before the BJP.
Some top leaders in the BRS oppose the BJP strongly. They will not be able to digest the BRS leadership’s decision to join the NDA. If the BRS weakens further it will lose its bargaining capacity during elections for seats.
The BRS leadership is planning to take some steps to protect the party and to restore confidence among its cadres. The BJP is also not on a strong wicket like earlier. The BJP leadership also may not have any objection to admitting the BRS into the NDA if the BRS leadership comes forward.
As there was no objection to admitting the TDP in the NDA there will be no reason for the BJP to refuse to admit the BRS into the NDA.
Everyone knows how TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and BRS supremo K. Chandrasekhar Rao criticised the BJP and Prime Minister Modi. In this, Chandrababu was one step ahead of KCR. Moreover, the BJP wants to prevent political parties from joining the Congress-led INDIA.
If the BJP refuses to admit BRS into the NDA they may join INDIA. This will strengthen the anti-BJP opposition alliance. So from the BJP’s side, there will be no objection to admitting the BRS into the NDA.
Joining the NDA is now in the hands of the BRS leadership. There are some advantages and disadvantages for the BRS on this issue. The advantages are that if the BRS joins the NDA the NDA will become a big force and can challenge the ruling Congress in the state.
The TDP and the Jana Sena are already in the NDA. The TDP which is in power in AP has some cadres in Telangana also. Jana Sena President Pawan Kalyan who is a film star has fans in Telangana too. The alliance of the BRS, the BJP, the TDP and the Jana Sena will emerge as a big force against the Congress.
The disadvantage is that if the BRS leadership decides to join the NDA some more BRS leaders may leave the party. The BRS leadership is now assessing the pros and cons of joining the NDA.