Naidu's magic show

Politics is the art of survival. As they say, anything can happen in politics, especially if it concerns gaining votes or quick mileage. Politicians would go to any extent and change their stance to woo voters. And that is exactly what the Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu is doing.

His latest move on Wednesday night has surprised many, but those who know Naidu are very much aware of the fact that he is a past master in the chess-game of local politics. In fact, he has been a touch too clever on too many occasions, which is why people have seen through his game. The latest bit of happening news is that TDP chief wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Telangana issue! 

"In the best interest of the people of Andhra Pradesh, our party urges you to kindly resolve this issue on priority by calling an all-party meeting to settle the issue across the table," Naidu told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an one-page letter. 

Howzzat? 

Did anyone even imagine that Naidu could do something like that? What more, he even hinted that he has no objections to the state being bifurcated! This, after several senior leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad made it clear doing so wouldn't be easy, at east not in the immediate future. In other words, after everyone who matters in the congress had spelt out his stand, Chandrababu wants the PM to decide on Telangana immediately, just as he is getting ready to set out on his marathon walk.

Soon after the letter was released to the media, several leaders from various parties came out to say that Naidu is ready with the screenplay for a new political drama. In fact, minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao even said that Naidu's letter which is unclear has a mere mention of Telangana and nothing more. 

The question is if Naidu was so concerned about the separate statehood for the Telangana region, then why did he keep mum for so long? Why rake up the issue now at all after the Centre's made it clear that it won't happen anytime soon?

This is seen as a clever move by Naidu who's all set to begin his padayatra. This way, he wouldn't face any protest from the people of the Telangana region, during the march, or so he thinks. 

It's apparent that Naidu whose party has lost all strength and support is looking to gain mileage through this stand. It also seems like Naidu is suddenly cozying up to Congress considering the latter's realisation on YSRCP's majority in Andhra Pradesh. Will Naidu's tactics work? Is Congress, which is looking to regain its control in AP, willing to take another risk?

Or has Naidu developed cold feet especially after reports of him copying YSR's ways to gain popularity? It has already been established now that Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP enjoys majority in the state. The survey conducted by a reputed media channel recently has substantiated that too. 

Hence, this drama is perhaps Naidu's new ploy to get some visibility and mileage for his party. Else, he knows there will be no takers for his padayatra! His ways only show that he's already experiencing jitters. He thinks he has pulled a new rabbit out of his political hat  and hopes to outfox everyone else. His only problem is the utter absence of credibility.

Reshmi@sakshipost