TDP’s Telangana Debacle Will Spill Over In AP

Kommineni Srinivasa Rao

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu stated that the Telangana election results wouldn't affect the AP elections. It could be seen that Chandrababu said so to protect the TDP cadre from getting demoralised. He is a pioneer in manipulating the media through his meetings and teleconferences. In one of the meetings, he is believed to have said that the Telangana polls would have no bearing on AP politics.

Taking into account the recent statements of Chandrababu, it should be inferred that his words have to be taken with a pinch of salt. It is a fact that the TDP cadre was demoralised after the party's drubbing in the Telangana polls, especially after it failed to secure a single seat in Hyderabad, where Chandrababu and Congress president Rahul Gandhi campaigned extensively. Also, Balakrishna's daughter faced a humiliating defeat by 43,000 votes after the TRS won from Kukatpally with a 38,000 majority.

Half a dozen AP ministers, scores of TDP leladers and crores of rupees couldn't save the TDP in Kukatpally. Chandrababu deployed MLA Alapati Raja as Sanath Nagar constituency In-charge during the elections. The TDP fought the Telangana elections as if it was about to lose in Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrababu claimed credit for building Cyberabad and Hyderabad. But, he seems to have missed the point by ignoring the fact that it's been 15 years since he governed Hyderabad. And to claim credit after 15 years of rapid growth in the city, the Congress leaders' silence over Chandrababu's tall claims took a toll on the Praja Kutami's chances. The Congress leaders did not respond even as Chandrababu claimed to be the lone leader who led the city into progress.

With this, the Congress fans and supporters were hurt. Also, the AP politics had an influence on Telangana polls. It is unsuprising to know that the relatives and family members of Seemandhra in Hyderabad exchanged phone calls with each other and discussed on voting against Chandrababu. Also, Andhra Pradesh's caste equations also had an impact on Telangana polls.

Did Chandrababu consult the Telangana TDP cadre on the decision to forge alliance with the Congress? While the Congress was vocal against Chandrababu's corruption, the TDP chief called for boycotting the Congress in AP. Clearly, the people of Telangana rejected Chandrababu's opportunism. The TDP leaders were surprised after Chandrababu claimed credit for the Congress win in the three States.

Chandrababu's financial assistance helped the Congress in the three States while it did all the damage in Telangana. Hence, Chandrababu is now trying to boost the morale of the TDP cadre. It would be tough for Chandrababu to recover from the loss in Telangana and to further deceive the public. Therefore, the TDP's poor show in Telangana would have a deep effect on its AP unit.

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