If reports from New Delhi are any indication, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national leadership is said to have offered a Governor post to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), its alliance partner in Andhra Pradesh, and has asked party president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to suggest a suitable candidate.
According to these reports, the Central government is preparing to appoint new Governors soon and has already initiated the process.
With elections approaching in Bihar and three other states, the BJP is making strategic decisions regarding appointments — offering Governor posts and accommodating NDA allies in the upcoming Union Cabinet expansion.
Reportedly, the BJP conveyed to Naidu that a Governor post would be allotted to the TDP, particularly in recognition of the party’s support in the recent Rajya Sabha seat allocation, which was done according to the BJP’s preferences.
This development has sparked discussions within the TDP about whom Naidu might recommend.
Sources suggest that senior leaders Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Yanamala Ramakrishnudu are the top contenders.
Both leaders have been key figures in the TDP for decades and are close associates of Chandrababu Naidu.
Yanamala has served as Assembly Speaker and State Finance Minister, while Ashok Gajapathi Raju was a Union Minister in the earlier NDA government.
Currently, neither holds any position in the government, although both of their daughters have been elected as TDP MLAs.
Yanamala recently retired as an MLC and has publicly stated that he would continue in politics only if given a Rajya Sabha seat, otherwise he would retire.
Party sources speculate that if Ashok Gajapathi Raju is appointed as Governor, Yanamala may be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
Given Raju’s clean image and seniority, TDP leaders believe his appointment is highly likely — unless there are unforeseen political shifts.
A formal announcement is expected after Chandrababu Naidu completes internal consultations within the party.
