Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to campaign for the Telugu Desam Party in the Nandyal by-elections has surprised many a political observer in the state.
Hitherto, the BJP did not come out with its support to the TDP in Nandyal and there were reports that the TDP leadership itself has requested the BJP to stay away from Nandyal because the constituency has large chunk of Muslim voters and it might backfire on the party.
However, at the BJP’s padadhikaris meeting held at Vijayawada on Saturday, the party leaders openly said the TDP had requested that the BJP top leaders canvass for Bhuma Brahmanand Reddy in Nandyal by-poll. They said the party would take part in the campaign from Monday.
The BJP leaders decided to work with the TDP not only during Nandyal by-poll, but also the Municipal Polls of Kakinada to be held soon.
“Since we are still allies at the state and national level, we will follow our coalition dharma and campaign for the TDP in Nandyal,” a BJP leader said.
Apparently, the TDP leadership has sensed the defeat in Nandyal, as minorities, too, are said to be inclining towards the YSR Congress party. So, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu does not want to lose any opportunity to gain whatever little advantage the party can get.
That is precisely the reason why he might have requested the BJP to campaign for the TDP in the last moment!
