Does Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu have a different strategy in not pulling out of the NDA immediately?
Though his critics say the TDP is just enacting a drama with regard to continuing the alliance with the BJP because he is scared of cases, a section of analysts say Naidu is definitely unhappy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for neglecting AP, but he is of the view that it would be politically disastrous for him if he withdraws from the NDA immediately.
First, there is no immediate political benefit to Naidu if he comes out of the NDA because elections are still one more year to ago, unless they are advanced.
Secondly, the Centre would tighten its screw on release of funds for Naidu’s projects like Polavaram and Amaravati (which would be released in different forms) by raising several queries and both the projects would come to a halt, causing immense damage to the TDP’s electoral prospects.
So, instead of launching a direct fight against the Centre, Naidu is planning to adopt an indirect strategy to bring pressure on the Centre for releasing funds.
He is contemplating launching a pressure group within NDA by joining hands with the other allies of the BJP in other states.
While Shiv Sena, the second biggest alliance partner in the NDA, already declared that it would go alone in the next assembly elections, Siromani Akali Dal in Punjab is also not happy with the BJP for the Centre ignoring Punjab in the budget.
The Akali Dal, in fact, is apprehensive that the BJP is trying to grow independently in Punjab by kicking up Hindu sentiments among the Sikhs.
In Bihar, too, chief minister Nitish Kumar of JD (U) faction is unhappy with Modi for going back on the promise of Rs 1.5 lakh crore special package announced before the last assembly elections.
Similarly, in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP alliance partner PDP led by Mehbooba Mufti is also not happy with the Modi style of administration.
If Naidu can galvanise the support of all these forces, he can bring pressure on Modi, since the BJP will have tough time in the next elections and the BJP definitely needs the support of allies, say analysts.
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