It is an open secret that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s national leadership has been adopting a soft stand toward the YSR Congress Party, led by former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, despite the party being in opposition in Andhra Pradesh and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) being its ally both in the state and at the Centre.
While the TDP continues to treat Jagan as its fiercest rival, the BJP at the Centre does not share the same view. Likewise, Jagan has carefully avoided taking an openly antagonistic stance against the BJP.
Recent developments illustrate this equation. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reportedly called Jagan to seek support for NDA Vice-Presidential candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, and Jagan readily agreed — consistent with his past cooperation.
Jagan maintains his hostility toward the Congress, which he blames for his legal troubles, but adopts a cooperative tone with the BJP.
In turn, the BJP has extended indirect support to him in sensitive matters, including his disproportionate assets cases and the investigation into the murder of his uncle, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy.
Adding fuel to speculation about this nexus, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday extended birthday greetings on social media to Kadapa MP Y S Avinash Reddy — an accused and alleged key conspirator in the Vivekananda Reddy murder case.
“Birthday greetings to the Lok Sabha MP from Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh Shri Y.S. Avinash Reddy Ji. May you be blessed with good health and long life,” Gadkari posted.
While birthday wishes may seem routine, in the politically charged atmosphere of Andhra Pradesh, Gadkari’s message has raised eyebrows.
Notably, there has been no precedent of him extending such greetings to an opposition MP, especially one facing serious criminal allegations.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is actively seeking the cancellation of Avinash Reddy’s bail in the Supreme Court, even as Viveka’s daughter, Sunitha Reddy, continues to express dissatisfaction with the pace and seriousness of the probe.
Political observers say Gadkari’s public greeting reflects the considerable goodwill Avinash Reddy appears to enjoy at the Centre.
Whether this stems from personal relations, business connections, or is simply part of the BJP’s broader political strategy remains unclear.
