HYDERABAD: The ongoing skirmishes between the TDP and the BJP, which are sharing power in Andhra Pradesh, appear to be an indication that a ‘big fight’ is in the offing between the two.
Leaders of both parties seem to be gearing up for an ‘all-out’ war with each other in the coming days. The reason is simple: A profound ‘distrust’ is growing between the two parties in the State with each passing day.
If TDP is trying to blame the saffron party for the ongoing delay in announcing special package to the State, the BJP State leaders complain against the way the yellow party leadership is ignoring them in the appointment of nominated posts in the State government as well as in taking policy decisions.
It has been almost six months since it has been decided to form a coordination panel between the two parties in the State for the smooth sailing of the TDP-BJP friendship, but nothing has moved in that direction so far. The decision was taken when Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu called on BJP president Amit Shah in Delhi.
The argument of the BJP leaders is that even though they had submitted the names of their party leaders, who should be the members from the BJP side in the proposed panel, Naidu is sitting on the proposal as “he does not want to give BJP’s pound of flesh in nominated posts.”
“Our party suggested the names of D Purandeswari, P Manikyala Rao and P Vishnukumar Raju as the BJP’s members in the proposed coordination panel. But, so far, chief minister Naidu has not appointed the panel,” a senior BJP leader said.
BJP leaders complain that the TDP is not at all treating the saffron party as a friendly party. “Though we are sharing power with the TDP, the yellow party leadership is ignoring us in all government appointments. For instance, only one BJP leader has been inducted into the market committees so far appointed by the CM,” the leader lamented.
Moreover, the BJP central leadership is understood to be contemplating appointing a leader, who can aggressively attack the TDP, in the post of party’s AP president.
“Our party central leadership wants to take steps to ensure that the party grows on its own in the State to become a formidable political force by filling the vacuum created by the Congress’ downfall, post-bifurcation. Hence, our leadership is now scouting for a leader who can successfully take on all other political parties, including TDP,” a BJP senior told Express.
According to sources, sensing the mind of the party central leadership, BJP MLC Somu Veerraju, who is said to be the front runner for the top post, of late has made it a habit to corner the TDP leadership with his power-packed potshots almost every day.
In fact, the ongoing organisational elections to elect new committees from village to State level in the BJP will enter a key phase from November 1.
BJP cadres will elect party’s village units’ presidents from November 1 to 10. After that, party’s mandal level units and their presidents will be elected from November 15 to 25. Then, party’s districts’ units and presidents will be appointed from December 1 to 15. Finally, new president will be elected for the party’s State unit in place of incumbent president Kambhampati Haribabu, between December 21 and 30.
“Once new president takes charge, our party will start firing direct salvos at the TDP, basing on issues concerning people,” said the source.
Interestingly, if the BJP is preparing the ground to take on the TDP, the yellow party is also doing the same.
The TDP leaders have already begun airing their views openly over Centre’s dillydallying in announcing a special package to AP. The recent statements issued by Guntur MP Galla Jayadev, film actor Balakrishna and MLC YB Rajendra Prasad prove this.
BJP Campaign Soon to Highlight Centre’s Aid to AP
Joining chorus with BJP MLC Somu Veerraju in charging the TDP with taking credit for all central government-sponsored schemes, which are being implemented in the State, BJP leader and former minister Kanna Lakshminarayana took strong exception to the recent statements given by the TDP leaders over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on special status/package to AP during Amaravati’s foundation laying ceremony. “It is unfair for the TDP leaders to criticise the PM. Modi categorically stated during Amaravati foundation laying that he would fulfil all promises made to AP. What more do they want?” he questioned. According to him, the BJP central leadership has given its nod for the State party unit to launch a ‘blitzkrieg’ against the TDP, on issues concerning people. “As the TDP has been alleging that the Centre is not fulfilling promises made to AP, we have decided to undertake a massive campaign across the State to make people know the facts,” Lakshminarayana told Express. The party’s State unit will soon launch a publicity blitzkrieg to explain people how the Modi government is giving preferential treatment to AP in releasing funds and fulfilling all promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act.
Some TDP leaders, during private talks, lament that Prime Minister Modi is not giving priority to AP and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. They are now in a ‘wishful thinking’ mode as indicated by a TD leader, “A setback in Bihar polls would force PM Modi to fulfil the promises made to AP.”
BJP Rayalaseema Leaders Told to Meet Naidu First
The BJP’s Rayalaseema leaders, who earlier wanted to undertake Delhi Yatra by the end of this month to complain against the attitude of the chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu towards their region, have now postponed their visit to the second week of November. According to sources, BJP central leadership recently asked them to meet chief minister Naidu and air their views on his attitude towards Rayalaseema directly, before visiting Delhi. “As per our party leadership’s suggestion, we have decided to meet the chief minister in the first week of November to raise Rayalaseema issues. After that we will undertake a Delhi Yatra and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our party president Amit Shah,” BJP State vice president Kapileswaraiah, who belongs to Rayalaseema, told Express.