Chandrababu Rule In AP Approaching Endgame

Y. Satyanarayana

The bizarre reaction from TDP leaders beginning with Chandrababu Naidu on the meeting which took place between K. Tarakarama Rao (KTR) of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and YSR Congress Party President, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday, is an indicator of the panic levels gripping the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh. Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu termed it as an alliance which would help the BJP by splitting the anti-BJP vote. How one wishes he had attempted to explain this irrational argument. Soon, his pet media outlets, as also other TDP leaders started parroting this line. The ruling party in the state went on an overdrive, describing the alliance (where there is none), as unethical. As for Chandrababu Naidu, he seems to have lost it, as YSRCP leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy aptly put it.

Chandrababu Naidu speaks as if he owns Andhra Pradesh and as if no one has the right to govern the state, forgetting we live in a democracy. He seems to be gripped an overpowering fear of YS Jagan, which is leading him to make mindless statements. His handpicked yellow media outlets trumpet his lost cause trying to convince the people of Andhra Pradesh, who in any case, can see through the futile games Chandrababu has been playing. They have waited for nearly 5 years to see if his magic wand would produce any proverbial rabbits out the hat. Now,it is payback time. People have made up their minds and his shower of eleventh-hour sops can do little to alter the course of things.

TDP leaders questioned YS Jagan on how he could have any truck (a figment of their imagination and an idea they are desperate to impose on the minds of the people of AP) with a party opposed to AP's interests. When questioned as to how they Chandrababu Naidu tried to seek an alliance with the TRS and that too at the time of Nandamuri Harikrishna's tragic demise, they have no answer. Isn't it true that after KCR rejected his offer the TDP chief went in for an alliance with the Congress in Telangana elections? Didn't Chandrababu try to forge an alliance with the TRS in 2009? Was it in the interests of AP? If the answer is in the affirmative, why is the TDP making such a big noise over the KTR-YS Jagan meeting, which is only to discuss the TRS supremo's initiative of bringing together like-minded political parties under the platform of a non-BJP, non-Congress Federal Front? KCR has stated in explicit terms that the proposed Federal Front is aimed at safeguarding the interests of states.

Chandrababu Naidu opted for an alliance with the BJP in 2014 and was a partner in the NDA government at the Centre for four years, with two of of his ministers having served in the Union cabinet. When imminent defeat began to stare at him, he decided to quit the NDA and tried to take high moral ground following his show of opportunism. However, there were few takers for the TDP chief's holier-than-thou posturing projected by the yellow media outlets.

It is abundantly clear why Chandrababu Naidu and other TDP leaders are gripped by a sense of fear over any development related to the YSR Congress party.

The overwhelming success of the mass contact initiative undertaken by YSRCP chief, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, across the state of Andhra Pradesh has rattled the TDP from Chandrababu downwards to the last party worker standing. The unending saga of corruption which the TDP has become synonymous with, was exposed by YS Jagan at dozens of public meetings and interactions in all parts of the state.

As a result, Chandrababu is haunted by the twin fears of his imminent defeat and conversely the growing popularity of YS Jagan, which is certain to power the YSRCP chief to victory. YS Jagan's standing in the eyes of the people of the state has grown tremendously and he is largely seen as the most likely successor to Chandrababu in the upcoming elections. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister had promised the moon to the people of Andhra Pradesh, and his failure on all counts is so complete that the TDP election manifesto was taken off the party website once Chandrababu came to power and YS Jagan and other party leaders began to expose his betrayal and misrule.

What have the TDP leaders therefore, resorted to? A massive smear campaign through Chandrababu's select media outlets trying to convince the people of Andhra Pradesh that the YSRCP is combining with the TRS against the interests of Andhra Pradesh. Chandrababu seems to have forgotten the adage that you can't fool all the people all the time. Who is buying his logic? Privately, even TDP party men find this position irrational and untenable, as any right-thinking individual would. Chandrababu and his cronies, not to speak of his favourite yellow media outlets seem to have overlooked an all-important fact, the only powerful widespread resentment there is, can be seen against the TDP regime and the Centre for denying justice to AP. Other factors do not come into play.

Chandrababu came up with the weird logic that the anti-BJP vote in Andhra Pradesh is getting split. He needs to explain to the people of Andhra Pradesh if there is a pro-BJP voter base in the state at all! The only political adversary which Chandrababu Naidu has in AP is YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and the TDP chief is acutely aware of it. True to his nature however, he is creating imaginary political foes like KCR, trying to confuse the people of the state. However, no one is willing to buy his logic, this time around. The writing on the wall is clear. TDP rule in Andhra Pradesh is approaching its endgame.

Also Read: Don’t Criticise Pawan Kalyan: Chandrababu To TDP Men