The statement made by Jana Sena Party chief and power star Pawan Kalyan that he would not allow any split in the anti-incumbency vote in the next elections and there is a need for all anti-YSR Congress party forces to come together has kicked up a debate on the changing political equations in Andhra Pradesh.
Pawan was apparently indicating a possible alliance with the Telugu Desam Party, irrespective of whether he would continue his alliance with the BJP or not.
He indirectly hinted that it would be better if the BJP also joins hands with the TDP and Jana Sena, so that three of them can fight the elections together.
Though the TDP leadership did not make any comment on Pawan’s statement, a couple of his party leaders like Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa welcomed it and said there was indeed a need for like-minded parties to come together to prevent split of anti-incumbency vote.
The BJP is still speaking diplomatically, saying its alliance with the Jana Sena would continue. BJP state president Somu Veerraju did not make any statement categorically denying the possibility of joining hands with the TDP.
At this stage, a senior TDP MLA from Palakollu and deputy leader of the party in the assembly Nimmala Rama Naidu made an interesting statement.
While admitting that an alliance with Pawan Kalyan would definitely help the TDP, he suggested that it would be better if the TDP did not run after the Jana Sena for an alliance.
He reminded that though the TDP had won only 23 assembly seats, its vote share is close to 40 per cent.
“In the next elections, too, the TDP has the capacity to win the majority seats on its own. So, it is better if the party does not crave for alliance with any other party,” he said.
According to Rama Naidu, the TDP can win not less than 100-110 seats on its own if it fights independently in the next elections. But if the TDP and Jana Sena fight the elections together, they could win as high as 160 seats, he said.
“At present, our focus should be only on fighting against the Jagan Mohan Reddy government on issues of people’s concern; and not on forging alliances with any other party. If any party comes forward extending a friendly hand, the TDP can join hands with it. There is no need for us to talk about alliances from now itself,” he said.
At the same time, Rama Naidu sounded a note of caution to the TDP leadership.
He said the party should not ignore the Kapu factor in the next elections and it should take the Kapus along with it. Only then, the TDP can come to power, he added.
