Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda in Delhi on Thursday to discuss a potential alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh. As the regional party and the BJP consider reviving their past partnership, the presence of BJP president JP Nadda at the talks indicates serious considerations of collaboration, provided seat-sharing agreements can be reached. This is the second meeting in recent months, hinting at an alliance’s increasing likelihood, although the parties have yet to finalize the arrangement.
TDP’s prompt formation of an alliance is crucial as elections approach, to avoid confusion among party workers and supporters. Actor Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party, also part of the talks, has already joined with the TDP and advocates for BJP’s inclusion. These discussions also come as the BJP seems close to an alliance with the Biju Janata Dal in Odisha. Despite prior differences over seat distribution, with the BJP eyeing 8-10 Lok Sabha seats in a state where its foothold is not strong, the seat-sharing might conclude with the BJP contesting five to six seats, Jana Sena three, and the TDP covering the rest.
BJP’s strategy to expand the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is part of its broader goal to secure a third term under PM Modi’s leadership, targeting over 370 seats independently and 400 with allies. This expansion includes strategic partnerships with regional parties agreeable to its agenda, as seen in potential coalitions in both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The talks signify TDP’s significant role in BJP’s agenda to fortify its electoral presence and maximize the party’s performance in the forthcoming elections.