Any political organisation would like to eliminate opponents so that it can operate in a hassle-free atmosphere. So they try to keep opponents inactive or prevent them from gaining strength. Naturally, it is worrying to see one’s political adversary hobnobbing with one’s ‘true friend.’ This is exactly what the NDA’s head in AP feels about events in New Delhi.
The TDP, which is supposed to head the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Andhra Pradesh, is worried over the soft approach of the NDA’s leadership towards the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by former AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy whose support is crucial for the NDA in the Rajya Sabha. Despite having a majority in the Lok Sabha, it often becomes necessary for the NDA to get its Bills passed in the Rajya Sabha. Jagan also needs the good offices of the Centre to tackle the economic offence cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI against him.
Jagan has been out on bail for more than a decade, and it would be a catastrophe for him if his bail is cancelled by the court in any one of these cases. It is also significant to note that no politician in India, particularly a person holding the post of Chief Minister, was on bail during their stint in office.
Due to this, Jagan has always been on alert to protect his political prospects. That’s why he has been extending unconditional support to the NDA government headed by Modi irrespective of his party’s policies on many issues. He never hesitated to announce his support for the Modi Government when crucial Bills are tabled in Parliament.
Coming back to the issue of TDP and its leadership, the closeness of Jagan to Modi is believed to be a severe irritant for the TDP. The TDP has been trying to keep Jagan away from the Modi Government to improve its position in Andhra Pradesh. Despite having an alliance with the BJP, Chandrababu cannot stomach the ties between the BJP and the YSRCP, and wants to drive a wedge between Modi and Jagan.
The TDP and the YSRCP have been arch rivals in Andhra Pradesh for around four decades. In United AP, the TDP emerged as an alternative to the then mighty Congress in 1982. The BJP joined hands with the YSRCP when it needed help at the national level. But this is a bitter pill for the TDP, which wants the BJP to dump the YSRCP. Although the YSRCP sometimes criticise the NDA and the BJP, that is only to protect its image in the public domain.
The BJP is aware that its soft policy towards the YSRCP annoys the TDP, its main partner in AP. As everybody knows, the support of the TDP’s 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha is vital for the NDA Government. The TDP and the Janata Dal (United) are considered to be the Modi government’s ‘oxygen suppliers.’
The TDP got an opportunity to play a key role at the national level nearly after a quarter century. In 1999, the TDP emerged as a lifeline for the NDA government headed by AB Vajpayee with its 29 LS MPs. Chandrababu was in a position to dictate terms to the Centre those days. The TDP government in United AP got 35 lakh tonnes of rice for implementing the ‘Food for Work’ scheme, unlike any other state. This showed the clout of Chandrababu with the Centre in those days.
Chandrababu desperately wants the BJP to end its soft attitude towards the YSRCP. During his first stint as Chief Minister of residual AP, he tried hard to make the Modi government arrest Jagan and ensure him a considerable jail term till the 2019 Assembly elections. But it proved futile as Modi rejected the TDP leadership’s demand. But Modi tried to pacify the TDP by indicating that the BJP sees no friend in Jagan. This shows that the BJP wants cordial relations with the YSRCP, as the latter’s support is a must for the BJP. The BJP organises joint programmes in connection with development projects in which the cadres of all three AP partners of the NDA must participate.
Chandrababu knows well that he can never convince Modi to restrict Jagan’s political moves. Now it will be much more difficult, as despite receiving a big blow in last year’s AP Assembly polls, Jagan’s party exists in every nook and corner of the state. The TDP sees a threat from the YSRCP as it is the alternative to the TDP in the public’s mind.
Jagan had helped industrialists close to Modi. The operations of companies owned by Ambani and Adani were going on in full swing in AP when Jagan was in power. Jagan offered a Rajya Sabha seat to Ambani’s close aide Parimal Natwani from AP during his stint, ignoring many YSRCP hopefuls. Nobody knows how AP benefited from Natwani becoming an MP. Another RS seat has recently gone to the BJP in a by-poll necessitated by the resignation of Jagan’s close aide V. Vijayasai Reddy. This has brought the BJP closer towards the YSRCP.
The TDP thinks there may not be any considerable threat from the YSRCP if the NDA alliance stays intact. It is natural for any national party to maintain cordial relations with regional parties which are strong in their states. Although the TDP and the YSRCP are rivals in AP, the BJP wants friendly ties with both of them. Chandrababu is indeed a key player in the NDA, but at present, he can’t attain his political objectives.
