Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs M Venkaiah Naidu appears to be the most affected person with the Centre’s categorical declaration that it cannot grant special status to Andhra Pradesh.
Venkaiah Naidu was contemplating seeking Rajya Sabha nomination from Andhra Pradesh this time. Though it was reported initially that BJP would not ask for the RS nomination from AP this year, as it does not want to depend on the TDP but wants to grow as an independent force in the State.
However, Venkaiah was seriously lobbying with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu behind the curtains for allocating the RS seat to him, since there is no chance of him getting nomination from elsewhere in the country.
But with the Centre categorically refusing to grant special status to AP, Venkaiah has landed in deep soup. First of all, the Centre’s stand has widened the gap between the TDP and the BJP, notwithstanding friendly relationship between two Naidus.
Secondly, the people are in an agitated mood and if Chandrababu gives RS seat to Venkaiah, it would snowball into major controversy and that would prove counter-productive to the TDP. So, he cannot dare give the seat to the TDP nor can BJP ask for it.
So, Venkaiah may have to look for an alternative place!
