YS Jagan seeks clarity on BJP’s game plan in Andhra Pradesh
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sudden visit to New Delhi on Wednesday at a time things are rather calm and stable in the state led to several speculations in political circles
NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sudden visit to New Delhi on Wednesday at a time things are rather calm and stable in the state led to several speculations in political circles.
It was earlier reported that the Chief Minister, during his more than an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had explained his stand on early and phased poll in the state. However, this was promptly denied by the YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader Mithun Reddy in New Delhi after Chief Minister left for Vijayawada.
The gamut of issues that reportedly came at the meeting with the Prime Minister and earlier with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, included the recent appointment of D Purandheswari as BJP state president. YS Jagan said to have explained to the BJP leadership the impact of a ‘Kamma’ leader at the helm of affairs of the State unit of BJP on the ensuing elections.
The YSRCP, while not perturbed by the appointment of Purandheswari might even benefit from a split in the ‘Kamma’ vote denting the chances of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). However, YS Jagan might have sought clarity from Prime Minister and Home Minister on the possibility of the BJP joining hands with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janasena Party in Andhra Pradesh.
Given the fact that the YSRCP government in the State had been loyal to the NDA government led by the BJP at the Centre, such clarity was needed for the YSRCP chief to draw an action plan to win the elections.
YS Jagan also needed clarity on the recent meeting of the TDP supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu with JP Nadda in New Delhi, indicating a patch-up between the parties paving the way for an alliance in both the Telugu states.
Party sources indicated that the YSRCP was fully geared up for the general elections with or without the blessings of the BJP, but required clarity on certain issues that might have a bearing on winnability in certain segments that were caste sensitive.
The BJP which earlier encouraged the leadership of the dominant caste of ‘Kapus’ in coastal Andhra Pradesh, deliberately chose a ‘Kamma’ leader as its state head changing equations for the ruling YSRCP.