HYDERABAD: The BJP central leadership’s move to nominate veteran politico and Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu as NDA’s vice-presidential candidate is being inferred by many in the party in Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana as a pointer to radical changes. The expected changes in the party’s agenda are aimed at realising its long-cherished dream of capturing the Telugu land.
The decision to elevate Naidu, its heavyweight in the two Telugu-speaking states, to the nation’s second-highest constitutional post is seen as a strategy to hit two birds with one stone.
The first aim is already clear that the leadership wants to use the services of the warhorse in the capacity of Rajya Sabha chairman to ensure passage of some key bills in the Upper House where the NDA does not have majority.
As far as the second aim is concerned, BJP in the two Telugu states will make aggressive moves to expand its base with an eye on 2019 elections, party seniors predict.
“This step is a clear indication that our central leadership is revising its agenda for AP and TS. Telangana is our first target to come to power by decimating the Congress, a national party whereas AP is our second target as we have an alliance with the TDP there,” a senior BJP leader said
.The leader recalled that BJP’s aim is to rise to power in all the states across the country, one after another. In order to achieve this goal, the leadership is considering Telangana as a gateway to the South in 2019 polls.
“As we have no alliance with any party in Telangana, we are going to implement aggressive strategies to fill the void created by Congress’ downfall in the state. But in AP, where we are in alliance with TDP, we will adopt a guarded approach to our wings.
However, our target in AP for 2019 is seeking a bigger share of seats from TDP,” Telangana BJP spokesman Krishna Saagar Rao said. According to him, BJP national president Amit Shah will pay special attention to Telangana and AP from September.