Our Political Desk
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister and master of all things politically strategic, has stirred the pot in Andhra Pradesh. While sharing the stage with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Shah, in an apparent moment of historical confusion—or was it strategic oblivion? – credited someone else for the 2014–2019 governance. BJP state president Purandeshwari quickly swooped in to correct the timeline: “2019 onwards, five years.” Nice save, but the damage was already done.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: who actually ruled Andhra from 2014 to 2019? Oh, right. Naidu. So, was this a genuine slip-up? Or was Shah doing what politicians do best: serving subtle digs wrapped in plausible deniability? Blame it on poor briefing, accidental memory lapse, or a deliberate omission, the result was the same—a political circus.
It’s no secret that the BJP was positively glowing with gratitude toward Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who obligingly played ally to the NDA during his term. Abstentions? Check. Votes in favour of controversial bills? Double check. Compare that to Naidu, who dramatically exited the NDA in 2018, citing alleged injustice to Andhra. Was it really the injustice, though? Or was it Naidu’s wounded pride after Prime Minister Modi, a “junior” in politics (as Naidu himself proclaimed), dared to ask for accountability over Polavaram funds?
This brings us to Shah’s supposed “faux pas.” Was it a gentle reminder to Naidu of the BJP’s new priorities? Perhaps it was just a nudge to remind the TDP supremo that alliances aren’t what they used to be. Shah also reportedly advised Naidu against promoting his son, Lokesh, a move that drew parallels to Tamil Nadu’s Stalin dynasty. For a party like the BJP that’s consistently (and loudly) anti-dynasty, this was a golden opportunity to reiterate their principles.
Let’s not forget, though, the pot-and-kettle situation in neighbouring Telangana, where K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s government has seemingly turned into a family reunion. But while KCR unapologetically promotes family, Naidu plays a subtler game. Lokesh may be the heir apparent, but other Nandamuri family members, like actor Balakrishna, haven’t been so lucky when it comes to power positions.
The timing of Shah’s remarks is notable. Following the BJP’s significant comeback in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and recent victories in states like Haryana and Maharashtra, the party is riding high. The balance of power has shifted—it’s no longer Naidu holding the cards; it’s Modi. After the TDP’s drubbing in 2019, Naidu now finds himself needing the BJP more than the BJP needs him.
Adding to Naidu’s woes is Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, who dances to his own ideological tune. His Sanatan Dharma Board proposal, aimed at safeguarding Hindu temples, aligns more closely with BJP’s narrative than TDP’s.
So, was Shah’s slip really a slip? Or was it a cleverly disguised reality check for Naidu? Either way, one thing’s certain: the BJP isn’t bending over backwards to woo its old allies anymore. The message is loud and clear—adapt or fade into irrelevance.
