There seems a clarity on working together between Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As of now, the YSR Congress of Jagan Mohan Reddy is extending issue-based support to the Narendra Modi-led NDA. But, that is not enough.
They are looking for better bondage particularly in the light of the NDA not having majority in the Rajya Sabha and the YSR Congress increasing its strength in April this year.
The BJP leadership is having tough time for every important bill to get the clearance from the Rajya Sabha, where the Congress has the majority.
Besides the Congress, the parties like TMC of Mamatha Benerji are also giving sleepless nights to the BJP leadership.
Both Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have been holding special meetings, besides the floor management in Rajya Sabha for every bill.
It is for this reason, Jagan Mohan Reddy is becoming an important ally for the BJP, whatever the decision that the BJP wants to take at the Centre and whatever the strength it has in the Lok Sabha.
Beyond the Rajya Sabha link, the BJP leadership is looking at Jagan Mohan Reddy as strong and potential ally for its electoral prospects in the South.
Jagan Mohan Reddy can still holds strong base in the neighbouring Telangana and Karnataka, where the Reddy voters are in considerable strength.
If the Telangana is their next target, the BJP has to keep Jagan Mohan Reddy in good humor as he has strong Reddy vote base in the state.
Similarly, if BJP has to retain its power in Karnataka, the party also needs Jagan Mohan Reddy’s support as Bengaluru and Bellary are dominated by the Reddy voters.
While the BJP leadership is thus after Jagan Mohan Reddy for alliance, the YSR Congress chief is taking his own time to join the NDA.
He is insisting on the Special Category Status demand which gives him electoral advantage in AP as SCS had been the key election slogan of the YSR Congress.
The BJP has to take a call now, if not earlier, and come out with some solution, as it happened in TDP regime where the Central government announced special package.
However, Jagan Mohan Reddy would get the political advantage only if he gets the special category status tag for whatever benefit that the Central government would roll out in fulfilment of the bifurcation promises.
It is to be seen what measures or in what form that the BJP comes forward and appeases Jagan Mohan Reddy to be part of the NDA in the next two to three months.
In April, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s strength in Rajya Sabha would go to 6 from the present two and this number is important for the BJP.
