In a surprising development, national media channels on Thursday evening flashed a news that Telugu Desam Party, along with a couple of other former allies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), have been invited for the pro-BJP alliance partners’ meeting on July 18.
According to these reports, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal, and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu may attend the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting at Hotel Ashoka in New Delhi on July 18.
Another former ally Lok Jana Sakthi Party (Chirag Paswan faction) likely to attend. SAD's Sukhbir Badal and Chirag Paswan have confirmed their presence for the meeting, which will be held in New Delhi's Ashoka Hotel.
Following Ajit Pawar's revolt in Maharashtra and a faction of the NCP joining the government, there have been murmurs about a possible alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka and YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh with the BJP.
TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu also recently held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the latter's residence.
However, nothing materialised after the meeting and instead, the BJP leaders in Andhra Pradesh have mounted the attack on Naidu and his party for betraying BJP in the past.
During the last meeting with Shah and Nadda, Naidu reportedly said he was not interested in national politics at all; so his party cannot officially join the NDA.
He, however, assured that the TDP would be extending its support to all the important decisions of the NDA from outside.
The BJP leadership was apparently not happy, as the Centre has already been getting such an external support from the YSR Congress party. So, the BJP leaders have not taken Naidu’s suggestion kindly. But they did not express it outside.
Against this backdrop, if Naidu attends the NDA meeting, it will be a clear indication to the TDP returning to the NDA fold. In such a scenario, it will definitely change the political dynamics in Andhra Pradesh, analysts said.
