Is Chandrababu’s Clout At Delhi On The Wane?

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was to go to New Delhi to attend the filing of nomination by NDA vice-presidential candidate M Venkaiah Naidu. But the visit was cancelled at the last minute. This has triggered speculations about the waning of Chandrababu Naidu's influence on the BJP-led Central Government and the NDA.

Naidu had even postponed the cabinet meeting hours before he planned to fly off to Delhi. But, he received a call from BJP national president Amit Shah, who suggested Chandrababu Naidu not to come to the national capital. Interestingly, Naidu was also not informed about the choosing of both the presidential and the vice-presidential candidates in advance. He literally had little role in choosing the candidates.

Pundits believe that the BJP is keeping Naidu at bay and is not consulting while taking crucial decision. The saffron party is treating the ruling TDP merely as one more regional partner in the NDA Government. They also feel that once Venkaiah Naidu is elevated as the vice-president, Chandrababu Naidu's hold on the Centre would further weaken. Till now, Venkaiah was seen as a big support for the TDP at the Centre. Now, Chandrababu looks isolated within the NDA, the analysts argue.