BJP At Crossroads In Andhra Pradesh: To Ally Or Go Solo In State Elections Amid TDP-Jana Sena Coalition Talks

In Andhra Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is at a crucial crossroads, grappling with the decision of whether to form an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party for the impending state assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

A meeting of the BJP central core committee in Vijayawada revealed a divergence of opinions among state leaders on the strategic approach—whether to independently contest or collaborate within the TDP-Jana Sena coalition, as reported by Hindustan Times.

While the Jana Sena Party is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the TDP severed ties with the BJP in 2018.

Pawan Kalyan, head of the Jana Sena Party, urged the BJP to join the alliance, emphasizing the importance of a united front to counter the ruling establishment.

During a meeting between Jana Sena political affairs committee chairman Nadendla Manohar and BJP state president Daggubati Purandeshwari, the urgency for a swift decision from the BJP became evident.

Opinions within the BJP rank and file varied.

Conversely, another section argued that joining the TDP-Jana Sena alliance could yield electoral gains, potentially winning a few assembly and Lok Sabha seats.

Shiv Prakash, along with other core committee members, urged state leaders to submit their views in writing through the state party.

The national BJP is expected to review the inputs and make a strategic decision.

Amidst the deliberations, a senior TDP leader has revealed internal differences within the party.

While party president N Chandrababu Naidu supports aligning with the BJP, his son and general secretary Nara Lokesh is reportedly opposed to the idea.