With Venkaiah Gone, Will There Be A Change BJP-TDP Relations In AP?

Are the BJP-TDP relations in Andhra Pradesh staring at a tectonic shift with the biggest bridge between both the parties - M Venkaiah Naidu - joining the vice-presidential race? It appears so as the shaky political alliance might soon show cracks, if the political pundits are to be believed.

Venkaiah has been instrumental in scripting a seat-sharing agreement between TDP and BJP during the 2014 elections and has also played a key role in continuation of the alliance. Though some senior saffron leaders raised objections to Chandrababu Naidu's attitude towards the BJP, Venkaiah smothered the opposition within the party. Many BJP leaders felt that the party was being deliberately weakened in Andhra Pradesh. The anger is so much that recently when Amit Shah toured the state, some BJP workers showed placards asking that the BJP come out of the alliance. However, Venkaiah managed to address the political issue between two parties. The buzz is that in some instances, he even came to the rescue of the TDP Supremo.

Analysts say the absence of Naidu in AP politics will definitely impact the relations between the TDP and the BJP. Many leaders said BJP state unit will have freedom to take decisions on its own. Several BJP leaders including Purandheswari, Kanna Laxminarayana and Somu Veeraju have openly raised objections to continuing the alliance between both the parties. The anti-alliance section is confident that the BJP will emerge a strong force once the party snaps its ties with TDP.