The TDP was a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance until 2018, when Naidu served as the state’s chief minister.
Telugu Desam Party’s president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, engaged in discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday to explore a potential alliance between the BJP and the regional party for the upcoming simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.
The TDP was a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance but withdrew its membership in 2018 during Naidu’s tenure as the state’s chief minister.
BJP President J P Nadda participated in the discussions, as per sources. They mentioned that both parties are willing to collaborate, with the outcome hinging on reaching a mutually acceptable agreement on seat-sharing.
Yet, the consecutive second meeting of the two leaders within two months has illuminated the possibility.
TDP leaders emphasized the importance of promptly forming an alliance, highlighting that further delays would not be advantageous. With elections nearing, any lingering uncertainty could lead to confusion among party workers and supporters.
Actor Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party, a former NDA ally, has now allied with the TDP and is encouraging the BJP to do the same.
Kalyan attended the meeting alongside Shah. Before this, Naidu held discussions with various TDP leaders, including MPs.
Amid increasing signs of collaboration, the BJP and the ruling Biju Janata Dal in Odisha appear close to solidifying their alliance. Senior leaders from both parties met separately on Wednesday, subtly suggesting the likelihood of such a union.
Naidu met with Shah and BJP president J P Nadda in February, fueling speculation of a potential alliance. However, as of now, the details of the arrangement remain unclear.
Sources have indicated that the two parties are at odds regarding the allocation of seats for the BJP in a state where its presence is limited.
The state has 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats and the BJP is keen to contest eight to 10 parliamentary constituencies.
Sources in the TDP, however, said the BJP might contest on five to six Lok Sabha seats in case of an alliance, the Jana Sena three and their party the rest.
The BJP faces a challenge with Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, who leads the YSR Congress, wholeheartedly backing the Modi government’s agenda in Parliament and maintaining strong personal relationships with its senior officials.
The BJP has been working to expand the NDA for some time as it eyes a bigger victory in the Lok Sabha polls, expected in April-May.
The ruling party, aiming for a third term under Modi, has set ambitious goals of securing 370 seats independently and 400 with allies. Within the BJP, there is a belief that collaborating with regional parties that align positively with its agenda will be advantageous.
