If Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's open dissent against BJP-led Union Government is anything to go by, it's clear that all is not well between TDP and BJP. The duo who contested jointly in the 2014 polls stormed into power with clear mandate from people. However, the things weren't the same and changed a lot in the past two years.
The latest is that TDP leaders are suspicious that BJP's top brass is keen on joining hands with TRS in Telangana and might offer helping hand to the Opposition YSRCP in the truncated state of AP. Several TDP leaders' are suspicious that BJP and YSRCP would forge an alliance in 2019 elections. Suspicious Naidu swiftly stepped into the scene and see to it to weaken YSRCP as much as possible. This led to the mass exodus of leaders, public representatives from YCP to TDP.
At a time many of his MLAs are ditching the party, Jagan's visit to New Delhi certainly raised many eyeballs and added fuel to the ongoing speculations that Jagan is going all out to woo the BJP. Jagan met Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Dharmendra Pradhan at Delhi and is said to be happy with the response he got from BJP top brass.
While the BJP has started sending indications that it is looking at other 'alternatives' in any possible 'break-up' with TDP, Mr Naidu too is bracing himself by making efforts to woo minorities to face any eventuality.
By now, Jagan seems to have understood that he alone couldn't take mighty Naidu and TDP. For this, he needs a strong backing from Centre. Above all, Jagan direly needs the support of BJP to overcome the cases, chargesheets by the CBI, the ED.
Naidu's Counter Strategy:
Already Chandrababu Naidu chalked out a plan to face the situation tactifully. His recent promise to induct a Muslim leader into his cabinet clearly says that Naidu wants to welcome miniorities with open hands to put a check to BJP. With this, Naidu is prepping up to go all alone in 2019 polls in the state-level.
* Inducting a Muslim into the state cabinet.
* Providing 4 percent reservation to Muslims in education & employment.
* To blame BJP for not giving Special Category Status to AP and not helping the state financially.
* Highlighting YS Jagan's corruption charges and centre's soft stand on Jagan's cases