Opinion

Andhra Pradesh: Will too many chefs spoil the broth for TDP?

6 months ago
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TDP Consultants

Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which once dominated the politics of the Telugu states, is now facing one of the toughest periods in its 41-year political journey. Having lost its influence in Telangana and confined to Andhra Pradesh, the party is making efforts to stage a comeback in Andhra. To achieve this, the party is engaging multiple political strategists. Robin Sharma, the founder of Showtime Consulting, is already working as the election strategist for the party. Additionally, the party is in talks with Prashant Kishor to bring him on board.

While these prominent figures are in the spotlight, behind the scenes, various small groups are diligently working to support TDP through digital strategies and political campaigns for the upcoming 2024 elections. Following the meeting between Prashant Kishor and Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP-favored media has begun circulating stories suggesting that Prashant Kishor, having understood the pulse of the Andhra Pradesh people, is favoring TDP and joining forces with the party. However, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) remains confident, asserting that no matter how many strategists like Prashant Kishor align with TDP, it will not impede YSRCP’s victory in the 2024 elections.

Why is the TDP in search of new strategists?

When TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu was arrested and jailed in an alleged skill development scam, the party expected Jagan’s move to backfire, creating sympathy for Naidu and boosting TDP’s chances in the upcoming elections. However, the party and its current political consultants failed to generate the desired sympathy narrative from the incident. Despite extensive digital campaigns, it became apparent that the campaigns did not attract the masses.

As the elections draw near, TDP has become alert and is actively seeking new strategists. This led to the emergence of Prashant Kishor on the scene. Since the meeting between PK and Naidu, the yellow media has been running stories, claiming that PK believes a strong opposition has formed against YSRCP among the youth, poor, and middle-class sections due to a lack of development in the state and heavy tax imposition. According to PK’s purported opinion, relying solely on welfare schemes and the belief that beneficiaries will support them may not be sufficient for YSRCP’s victory.

Whether it’s Robin Sharma, Prashant Kishor, or the yellow media, recognizing the actual opinions of the people rather than relying solely on propaganda may be crucial for any political party. While TDP enjoys strong media support, unlike any other party in the Telugu states, they still struggle to connect with the people. The reason behind this is their failure to understand the pulse of the voters, prompting them to search for new strategists.

Also Read: Andhra Pradesh: Prashant Kishore -Naidu Meet : Focus on 2024 elections

Is TDP finally cooking up a Kichidi?

In regional parties, the top leadership is the karta, karma, and kriya for the party. The ultimate decision-making authority always rests with the top leadership. During the Telangana assembly elections, the BRS party ran the elections without collaborating with any political strategist, asserting that there was no strategist greater than their party chief, KCR. However, they tasted defeat in the polls, proving that KCR’s sole decision misfired. In contrast to this, the TDP in Andhra Pradesh is landing its legs on multiple boats, adopting the approach of seeking suggestions from multiple strategists, including Prashant Kishor, who has now come into the picture.

In the past, Sunil Kanugolu, who had previously worked for TDP, quit the deal due to conflicts with Robin Sharma’s Showtime Consulting and later tied up with Congress. Both Kanugolu and Sharma had served as strategists for the TDP simultaneously, leading to Kanugolu’s discomfort and subsequent departure. Currently, TDP is in talks with Prashant Kishor to bring him on board. The question arises: Can Prashant Kishor and Robin Sharma work together for TDP? This situation echoes the earlier conflict that led to Kanugolu’s departure.

It raises the question of whether TDP is unhappy with strategist Robin Sharma, subtly indicating an interest in onboarding Prashant Kishor. Alternatively, TDP might be opting for a collaborative strategy involving multiple strategists. The real question is whether this multi-strategist approach will be palatable to the voters or spoil the broth for TDP. Only time will tell.

Handling Pawan Kalyan with Care!

Not just strategists, TDP has also roped in all the support they can get from Pawan Kalyan. Though Janasena Cadre finds it hard to mingle with TDP because of past differences, they still somehow manage to keep a straight face. In Janasena everything is for Pawan Kalyan. But for how long? Kapu leader Jogaiah slammed Pawan Kalyan over TDP alliance, called it insult to the community.

Many other Kapu leaders and JSP enthusiasts have also raised serious questions against the alliance. Mudragada Padmanabham, another big Kapu leader has also issues with Pawan Kalyan’s decisions. Nara Lokesh in his recent interviews have also made comments on Janasena being a liability for TDP. How much JSP can gain from TDP?

YSRCP Welfare Challenge

TDP is trying its best to come up with innovative welfare majors in their poll plank. From 3000 a month to unemployed youth, to Free gas cylinders, Free bus travel for women, increased pension, to Monthly allowance for women. But will it work? Especially when TDP’s history doesn’t have a good record with welfare schemes.

While TDP is trying to figure out their welfare ideas, YSRCP has already increased the old-age pension to Rs.3000 in the state. Other development activities in the capital expenditure is also going to help YSRCP. It will be interesting to watch what YSRCP manifesto promises for the elections.

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