TDP-Jana Sena first list likely on February 24; will they leave door ajar for BJP ?

AMARAVATHI: If the “unofficial news leaks” — or call it grapevine — is to be trusted, most likely the TDP and the Jana Sena Party would announce their first list of contestants for Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024 on Feb. 24 as Magha Purnima is said to be an auspicious day, according to lunar calendar.

But, we never know. TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu is too clever a politician that he can change his decision even in the last minute.

Several rounds of discussions happened between Naidu and Pawan Kalyan on vetting the names of constituencies and candidates factoring in several permutations and combinations.

While this “game of chess” is known like the back of his hand for Naidu, Pawan Kalyan is surely a complete novice. For the first time, he went officially for seat-sharing in Telangana Assembly Elections 2023 with the BJP and had to be content with whatever crumbs that were thrown at him. He wouldn’t know whether the TDP would throws crumbs at him or the actual cake or just the icing until after the results of the polls. Such deep-rooted would Naidu’s plans be.

Considering the desperation of Chandrababu Naidu to somehow cobble up an alliance with Pawan Kayan, the actor may think he is now in advantageous position and can do a hard bargain.

What he must look at the list diligently is that the TDP had never won in 48 out of the 175 Assembly constituencies (consider the undivided State) so far. If Pawan Kalyan’s party is getting seats from that chunk, he should realise that he’s being used more as an armour and a campaign poster to amplify the TDP’s prospects elsewhere to get the fan base of ‘Gabbar Singh’ converted into voters.

And, if the duo, after their confabulations, announce some seats, that may anger the BJP which may want to take bite in the same piece of cake. If that happens, Naidu would not stand ramrod straight to have his way. Instead he may acquiesce to the demands of his “kind” alliance partners.

Therefore, the much touted announcement may be limited to a few seats.

Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will freeze the list before early Saturday.

The BJP is keeping an ear to the ground with regard to the equations and also bickering between the TDP and the JSP.

Naidu can keep his options open and the proverbial door ajar to let the incomers. Also, he may use the same opening to let any disgruntled people leave through.

Leaders of the combine are already engaged in internecine feuds over the seats. Be it Gajuwaka or Pendurthy or Rajahmundry rur to Kakinada urban to Tirupati urban.

Pawan Kalyan’s pressures are ostensibly more from the leaders of his own Kapu community whose votes Naidu is angling for.

How many seats he would end up with hinges on the whims of Naidu. For now, Pawan Kalyan is the conduit between the TDP and the BJP.

If he makes any unwise or hurried move, he will be fishing in troubled waters, for he doesn’t have any experienced politico aiding and advising him.

Yet, February 24 may turn out to be a big day for the combo.