In the recent Telangana assembly elections, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) indirectly supported the Congress party. The TDP believed that if the party performed poorly in the Telangana elections, it might have an impact on the upcoming Andhra Pradesh elections. The decision was influenced by Revanth Reddy being the Congress’s Chief Ministerial candidate and BRS’s anti-stand on Chandrababu Naidu’s alleged involvement in the Skill Development scam, which led the TDP to oppose BRS. In numerous constituencies, TDP workers openly expressed their support for the Congress, with Revanth Reddy also actively seeking the party’s endorsement. TDP supporters actively participated in celebrations following the Congress victory, where Revanth Reddy was announced as the Chief Minister. The current discussion revolves around whether the Congress party will reciprocate and support the TDP in the upcoming Andhra Pradesh elections.
Will Congress support the TDP in the AP?
TDP wants to team up with BJP, but BJP isn’t interested in including Naidu the NDA. Despite the Janasena party maintaining its alliance with the BJP, it is also extending support to the TDP and intends to jointly contest the upcoming elections. Recently, AP BJP leader Vishnu Vardhan Reddy suggested that the TDP and Congress could join forces for the elections in Andhra Pradesh. Given the current insignificance of the Congress party in the state, the TDP might not entertain this proposition. However, TDP supporters are optimistic that the Chief Minister of Telangana, a staunch supporter of Chandrababu Naidu, could provide financial support. The Congress party is contemplating supporting Naidu in the Lok Sabha polls, anticipating that it could be advantageous for the ‘India’ alliance if the TDP secures a substantial number of seats and extends support. Nevertheless, there is a risk that Naidu may shift allegiance, as his priority lies with the NDA rather than the India alliance.
Also Read: Did Revanth Reddy Meet Naidu? Are They Planning A Return Gift To KCR?
In the 2018 assembly elections in Telangana, both the TDP and Congress formed an alliance but experienced a significant defeat. If Naidu aligns with Congress in future elections, he could become an easy target for YSRCP. They could criticize Naidu for joining forces with a party that contributed to the damage caused to Andhra Pradesh through the state bifurcation. In the recent assembly elections, TDP supported Congress on the ground and on social media in Telangana, despite the absence of an official tie-up. TDP is anticipating similar support from Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.
Also Read: Is Telugu Desam Party Supporting The Congress Behind The Scenes In Telangana?
YS Sharmila into Congress?
The Congress party has lost its foothold completely in Andhra Pradesh following the division of combined Andhra Pradesh into two separate states. The people of Andhra hold resentment against the Congress party, attributing them as the cause behind the state lacking a capital and bearing the burden of debt. After nearly a decade of the Congress party’s diminished presence in Andhra Pradesh, the results of the Telangana elections have provided them with a boost to make a comeback in Andhra.
YS Sharmila is going to New Delhi to meet Congress leadership, Congress MP Venkat Reddy is also present! She going to merged party into Congress Party 🔥🔥🔥🔥💪💪 pic.twitter.com/ylRB7MCWKZ
— Ashish Singh (@AshishSinghKiJi) August 11, 2023
Recently, the President of AP Congress, Gidugu Rudra Raju, made comments about YSRTP President YS Sharmila entering Andhra Pradesh politics. Sharmila established her party a year ago and conducted a padayatra. Prior to the elections, she engaged in discussions with the Congress party regarding a potential merger of YSRTP. However, as the merger did not materialize, YSRTP opted to stay away from the assembly elections, offering support to Congress from the outside. Meanwhile, several of its leaders, including Epuri Somanna, Gattu Ramchander, and others, defected to BRS.
Although the Congress party did not accept the proposal to merge YSRTP into their party, citing party interests in Telangana, they might consider prioritizing Sharmila if she expresses a desire to lead the Congress party in Andhra Pradesh. If Sharmila joins AP Congress, the party could gain momentum in the state, potentially splitting anti-YSRCP votes in the elections and impacting the prospects of TDP-JSP. As of now, Sharmila has not responded to these speculations.
