It looks like the relationship between Bharatiya Janata Party and the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh is getting strained with every passing day.
Though the TDP is still willing to cling to the saffron party for its own political benefits, the BJP leaders seem to be looking for excuses to cut off its links with the TDP.
In yet another instance of cracks in the TDP-BJP alliance, Endowments Minister P Manikyala Rao, who represents the BJP, has entered into confrontation with Excise Minister K Samuel Jawahar, both from West Godavari district over running of belt shops in the district.
Following several complaints from the local people, Manikyala Rao visited some of the villages in the last two days and asked the officials to close down the belt shops illegally being run by some local TDP leaders.
The minister, who is from RSS background, even instituted a task force to implement the ban on illegal liquor shops. This was welcomed by the local women’s organisations.
But this has not gone down well with the TDP leaders, who lodged a complaint with excise minister Jawahar.
He swung into action and pulled up the officials for closing down the liquor shops, since his department had to meet the liquor sale targets this year.
Now, Manikyala Rao wants to take this issue to the notice of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was the one who ordered closure of belt shops in the villages.
This is leading to confrontation between the BJP and TDP leaders in the district. Let us see how far this will go.
