BJP-TDP alliance runs into rough weather

TDP reportedly considering change in the constituencies allotted to the BJP

April 17, 2014 10:07 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 07:24 pm IST - HYDERABAD:

Within a few days of the two parties forging an electoral alliance, differences between the Telugu Desam and the Bharatiya Janata Party have come to the fore yet again.

The tie-up was formalised after hectic parleys the two parties had over the number of seats that should be allotted to the saffron party.

The deal was finally clinched with the BJP having its say in at least Telangana region where it got eight Lok Sabha and 47 Assembly seats.

In Seemandhra, the BJP was given five Lok Sabha and 15 Assembly seats, but the saffron party later gave up the Araku Lok Sabha seat to the TDP.

With barely two days to go for filing of nominations for the second phase, the TDP is reportedly considering change in the constituencies allotted to the BJP as the party did not want to risk its chances in the traditional strongholds of the TDP. Senior TDP leaders told The Hindu that the party leadership would give its suggestion to the BJP leadership in this regard.

They are confident that the issue would be resolved amicably as there is still two days left for filing nominations.

The two parties continue to be in a zone of discomfort even after formalising the alliance and this is evident from the level of “distrust” still prevailing between them.

After resolving the deadlock that arose over the BJP’s demand for more seats, the two parties are at loggerheads again with the TDP now raising objections to the BJP’s choice of ‘weak candidates’ in Seemandhra seats who could jeopardise the prospects of the two parties.

The TDP is reportedly concerned over the fact that the BJP’s selection of the candidates was largely based on the RSS diktat rather than the political factors that decide their fate in the elections.

The party is more worried about the transfer of the BJP vote to its candidates in the Seemandhra region and it has good reason for concern.

Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar, who rushed here on Thursday after serious differences cropped between TDP and BJP over seat-sharing in Seemandhra region, sought to play down the issue, saying there was no confusion and all was well. Talking to reporters, he said "as far as the alliance is concerned, there is no confusion. There are some last-minute exchange ideas. We will work out on that ". He indicated that there would some clarity on Friday, adding that the two parties would go ahead with the alliance. Mr. Javadekar is likely to meet TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu after 1 am on Friday after his return to the city from Vizianagaram.

“Film star and Jana Sena Party founder Pawan Kalyan’s decision to support some candidates who are keen on filing their papers as independents is also said to have complicated the situation further.

“At least 10 of our MPs are scared over the issue.

They are worried over whether the BJP will prevail over its supporters and cadre to cast their vote in favour of the TDP.

This is particularly important as independents backed by Jana Sena can upset the applecart of both the TDP-BJP combine and the YSR Congress, more so of the TDP,” a TDP MP who was involved in discussions with the BJP leadership told The Hindu .

The TDP leadership, according to the MP, has conducted an impact assessment, following the spate of complaints lodged by its candidates, and the study revealed that the transfer of BJP’s vote would indeed become doubtful if Mr. Pawan Kalyan goes ahead with his decision of supporting some independent candidates.

Senior leaders of the two parties, however, maintain that “minor differences” were common in such alliances and they would not pose a threat to the tie-up.

These differences could be overcome as it was better for the two parties to continue the tie-up which puts them in a win-win situation.

The BJP leadership has reportedly rushed senior leader Prakash Javadekar to the city on troubleshooting mission.

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