By Anticipation mounts for the inaugural collective assembly of the Telugu Desam Party, Jana Sena Party, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) subsequent to their coalition formation for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to join TDP’s national president, Naidu, and JSP’s president, Pawan Kalyan, share stage during the scheduled gathering in Chilakaluripet, situated within Palnadu district, on March 17.
The three political parties will once again join forces for the upcoming elections after a hiatus of six years, having come to an agreement regarding the allocation of seats among themselves.
One day after the formation of the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy raised doubts about the alliance’s foundation. He inquired whether the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had delivered on its promises, such as granting Special Category Status (SCS) to the State, or fulfilling any other commitments made during what he termed the ‘unscientific bifurcation’ of Andhra Pradesh.
During his time in opposition between 2014 and 2019, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy vehemently advocated for Special Category Status (SCS) and assured the electorate ahead of the 2019 elections that he would secure SCS for the state if the YSRCP won all 25 MP seats. Despite securing 22 Lok Sabha seats in the elections, the Chief Minister later stated that the YSRCP lacked the leverage to demand SCS as the NDA government held a comfortable majority in both Houses of Parliament.
In response, Mr. Naidu, speaking at a party event on March 13, criticized Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy for failing to fulfill promises outlined in the A.P. Reorganisation Act. He questioned whether the Central government had hindered efforts to complete projects like Polavaram and the construction of Amaravati as the capital.
“Foundation-Laying Ceremony Alters Title with Equivalent Significance”
Meanwhile, leaders from the alliance hinted at the possibility of jointly releasing a comprehensive election manifesto at the Chilakaluripet meeting. Before aligning with the NDA, the TDP and JSP had introduced a condensed manifesto with six pledges and unveiled the ‘BC Declaration’. These initiatives were aimed at countering the Navaratnalu schemes, which are the flagship programs of the YSRCP government.
During the groundbreaking ceremony held at Boppudi Village in Chilakaluripet on March 13 (Wednesday), leaders from various alliance parties, including TDP State president K. Atchannaidu, national general secretary Nara Lokesh, Chilakaluripet candidate Prathipati Pulla Rao, JSP secretary K. Sivadhar, BJP leader Pathuri Nagabhushanam, and others, were in attendance.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Lokesh expressed confidence that the alliance would secure the support of the five crore people of Andhra Pradesh, aiming to overthrow the ruling YSRCP. He criticized Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy for what he termed as the implementation of ‘anti-people policies’ during his tenure.
Mr. Atchannaidu leveled allegations against Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of governing the State in an ‘undemocratic manner’, which, according to him, had led to significant issues such as high unemployment and inflation. Mr. Nagabhushanam echoed similar sentiments, stating that the electorate eagerly awaited the opportunity to vote Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy out of power.
