Naidu’s Shift: From Targeting Christianity to Wooing Their Votes

TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu alleged that a few years ago, Christian missionaries in Andhra Pradesh were engaging in religious conversion of Hindus into Christianity. However, as elections approach, Naidu is now making several promises to the same community. This shift in stance raises questions about his double standards and the political motivations behind his promises. It suggests that, for political mileage or benefit, he is willing to take any side.

🔰🔰TDP Promises to the Christian Community

📌Recognising Dalit Christians under SC-Category

📌Renovation of churches in all constituencies

📌Allocation of funds to the Christian corporation

📌Examination of a 50% subsidy for travel to Jerusalem

📌Financial assistance of Rs.… pic.twitter.com/enOTpAUZod

— South One (@SouthOneNews) December 22, 2023

Naidu makes promises to the Christian community

The TDP celebrated a mini-Christmas at the party office in Mangalagiri, during which Chandrababu Naidu participated in a cake-cutting ceremony with pastors. On this occasion, he announced several promises to the Christian community, including the recognition of Dalit Christians under the SC category, the renovation of churches in all constituencies, the allocation of funds to the Christian corporation, an examination of free travel to Jerusalem, and an honorable income for pastors. He also mentioned that, in the previous TDP government, they provided financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh for church construction, allocated 2 acres of land, and allocated Rs. 10 crore in funds for the Christian Bhavan in Guntur.

Naidu once targeted Christianity

Naidu stated that the teachings of the Bible are for the benefit of society; it encourages loving even your enemies. However, in the current state of affairs, the situation is different, where even friends are considered enemies. Naidu praised Christian missionaries, acknowledging their great services through establishing schools, colleges, and hospitals. Ironically, in 2021, Naidu alleged that Christian missionaries are engaging in forceful religious conversions, specifically targeting Hindus and converting them to Christianity. He also claimed that, since Jagan himself is a Christian, he is not taking any measures to prevent these conversions.”

Edi jagan isthe he is anti hindu ani mire vestharu ga

— MB@09081975 (@mb09_mb) December 23, 2023

TDP Tried to Project Jagan as Anti-Hindu

Just one year after Jagan’s YSRCP came into power, incidents of attacks on Hindu temples surfaced. The TDP heavily targeted Jagan, projecting him as anti-Hindu. It seemed that the TDP was taking a stand similar to the BJP’s Hindutva line. At least 80 such incidents took place, including attacks on Hindu temples, theft of idols, and destruction of idols.

Last year, 23 Hindu idols were demolished in a single temple in Pithapuram. Nandi idol was destroyed in Kalahasti temple.

At least 500 idols from more than 200 temples were damaged in the last 2 years.

Who is responsible for this large scale attack on Hindu temples in Andhra? pic.twitter.com/2tioYAJ2Wl

— Bharadwaj (@BharadwajSpeaks) August 10, 2021

The TDP attempted to portray the YSRCP as behind these attacks, accusing them of hurting Hindu sentiments. They pointed out that as CM, Jagan, then Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharitha, and DGP Gautam Sawang belonged to Christianity, suggesting they should handle these incidents with particular attention. The TDP also criticized Jagan for printing ads related to Jerusalem and Haj on Tirumala bus tickets. In response, the YSRCP countered the TDP, stating that those tickets were actually printed during the TDP’s tenure.

TDP trying to woo Christian votes

The TDP is making efforts to attract Christian votes in Andhra Pradesh. According to the 2011 population census, Christians constitute 1.4% of the state’s population. However, it is a well-known fact that there are many Dalits in Andhra Pradesh who practice Christianity. In the 2019 elections, this particular demographic supported the YSRCP.

Now, the TDP is aiming to secure their votes by making promises. If these promises had been made by Jagan to the Christian community, the TDP might have accused him of bias towards Christianity. Notably, when the Jagan government increased the subsidy fund for Jerusalem travel for Christians, the TDP-favored media conducted TV debates questioning why the government was sponsoring or supporting religious programs. They reminded everyone that governments should be secular and should not involve themselves in religious matters. However, conveniently, they overlooked the fact that the TDP had included in their 2019 election manifesto a commitment to increase funds for the Jerusalem pilgrimage.

Also Read: Missing Spark: Is Lokesh Padayatra successful? What has TDP gained from it?

TDP wants to win at any cost

In the 2014 elections, which took place after the state bifurcation, people believed that the experienced politician Chandrababu Naidu could develop the state and create a capital city for the newly formed state, which lacked a capital. However, Naidu failed to keep his promises and ended up with a graphics city and temporary buildings in the capital, Amaravati. In 2019, people drastically rejected the TDP,  while Jagan’s YSRCP secured a commanding 151 seats. As the 2024 elections approach, the TDP is actively strategizing to secure victory at any cost. In this pursuit, they are making efforts to win over voters who were previously aligned with the YSRCP, with a recent focus on appealing to the Christian community.