TDP’s Hidden Agenda 

S Gopinath Reddy

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu summoned his party MPs to return to the state leaving Delhi corridors. A new strategy is brewing in Amaravati, the state capital. Overtly, it looks as if the ruling TDP is devising a strategy for building a campaign for the much sought after Special Category Status… but covertly the strategy for sure is on how to snatch the initiative away from the YSRCP and its president Jagan Mohan Reddy, who had kept the flame alive for the last four years.

Prior to elections, Naidu was vocal in his demand for SCS to the state, for not five or ten, but for 15 years. Once in power, he deliberately relegated the SCS issue on to the back burner. In the bargain, he pocketed the Polavaram project though it was to be executed by the Centre, according it the status of a national project . The YSRCP had been alleging that the TDP chief mortgaged the interests of the state for commissions that he and his cronies would get from Polavaram contractors. The other reason being cited by the YSRCP was the shameful and infamous vote for crores scam. The noose was hanging around his neck and Naidu chickened out fearing arrest in the case. He hurriedly moved out of Hyderabad, a common capital for ten years as part of state reorganization act.

Naidu, his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, party leaders and activists went to town during the last three years ridiculing the benefits of the SCS. At numerous and trademark lengthy press conferences of his, Naidu time and again suggested that the mindset of the media should change. He was reluctant to take questions on the SCS and its benefits. He wanted the advocates of SCS to show where in government orders concessions were accorded to the states which had been enjoying SCS. He even dared his critics to show which state enjoying SCS has become a heaven!

His ministers unleashed a campaign against SCS. Of the total investments the country has attracted, 15 per cent have come to Andhra Pradesh thanks to the wisdom of Chandrababu Naidu. Where is the need for the SCS was the common refrain from the yellow brigade.

Thanks to the efforts of YSRCP and Jagan Mohan Reddy, the sentiment slowly gained ground, grew from strength to strength and gradually attained the shape of a movement… a movement of pride for the people of Andhra Pradesh.

This is when Naidu realized that he was slowly but surely losing ground while YSRCP was gaining strength in bigger strides. His intention is to cling on to the power and not the SCS. Initially, he ridiculed YSRCP when it had announced that it would move a no-confidence motion against Modi government. What is the use of such a move, was the poser from the TDP camp.

After YSRCP moved the motion in Lok Sabha, Naidu announced that he would support the motion moved by the YSRCP. The very next morning, he took a U turn again and announced that TDP, on its own, will move a no-confidence motion. The no-confidence motion never came up for discussion and as announced YSRCP MPs submitted their resignations and sat on an indefinite fast. Realising that they are lagging behind, TDP MPs staged some token demonstrations.

While the MPs were fasting in Delhi, YSRCP leaders, activists and common people have continued their agitation on the field. Relay hunger strike camps are being organized, rallies are being taken out and awareness is being created among the masses.

This is when Naidu realized that the “agitation” in Delhi seems to have no bearing on the masses. So, TDP will also start some agitational programmes.

While YSRCP is setting the agenda for the ruling party, Naidu and the yellow brigade is following the path. Now, it wants to position itself as the champion of the SCS. The hidden agenda of the TDP is to curtail the growth of YSRCP, which seems to be enjoying the support of the masses.