The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) solidified its partnership with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Saturday for the imminent Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections. N Chandrababu Naidu, the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, expressed confidence in the coalition's ability to sweep the polls.
This alliance was formalized following extensive discussions involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP Chief J P Nadda, Naidu, actor Pawan Kalyan who leads the Jana Sena Party (JSP), among others. A joint statement issued by the three parties highlighted their commitment to contesting the elections together under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom they hailed for his dynamic and visionary approach towards national progress and the welfare of Andhra Pradesh.
Nadda, Naidu, and Kalyan expressed their hope that the alliance would meet the expectations of the people of Andhra Pradesh with their wholehearted support. Details regarding the allocation of seats for the 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats in the state are set to be discussed in the coming days.
Naidu, addressing reporters after the alliance talks, criticized the ruling YSR Congress Party, accusing Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy of hindering the state's progress. He reiterated his belief in the alliance's electoral success, emphasizing the need to restore Andhra Pradesh's standing and development trajectory.
Lauding Modi's leadership, Naidu contrasted the country's progress with Andhra Pradesh's perceived regression under the current administration. He accused the YSR Congress of prioritizing "wealth destruction" over wealth creation, echoing concerns about the state's economic direction.
While specific seat allocations weren't disclosed, sources suggested that the BJP and the JSP could jointly contest approximately eight Lok Sabha and 30 Assembly seats, with the TDP fielding candidates for the remaining 17 Lok Sabha and 145 Assembly segments. The BJP, aiming to bolster its Lok Sabha presence, may contest six parliamentary and as many Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu downplayed past differences with the BJP, highlighting the advantages of having a unified alliance at both the central and state levels. He expressed confidence in garnering support from all sections of society, including minorities.
The TDP had exited the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2018 over unmet demands for special category status for Andhra Pradesh. However, Naidu acknowledged the BJP-led government's efforts in fulfilling commitments to the state.
Inviting Modi to a joint rally in Guntur on March 17, Naidu emphasized the significance of the alliance in achieving the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh. The statement underlined the longstanding relationship between the BJP and the TDP, citing their successful collaborations in past governments.
Despite the BJP's limited presence in Andhra Pradesh, Modi's popularity and the party's overall electoral strength are expected to bolster the TDP's prospects. The BJP, led by Modi, aims to secure a substantial victory in the Lok Sabha polls, with aspirations of winning 370 seats for the party and over 400 seats for the NDA.
Speculation suggests that the BJP might organize a gathering of principal NDA leaders to underscore the alliance's growing influence, following Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's recent entry into the fold. Additionally, discussions are underway with Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for a potential alliance, further signaling the BJP's efforts to strengthen its coalition ahead of the elections.
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