Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu finds himself at the center of a growing storm within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). His attempts to balance his past political commitments with his current alliance with the BJP have triggered scrutiny, particularly over his approach to minority appeasement. A series of viral videos on social media showcase Naidu touting his past efforts as the ‘messiah of minority Muslims,’ including his role in constructing the first Haj House in Hyderabad during his tenure as the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh. These assertions, coupled with his recent policy decisions favouring minority welfare, have put him at odds with the ideological stance of his BJP allies.
Despite the BJP’s firm stance against religious appeasement, Naidu has taken several measures benefiting the Muslim community, including an allocation of Rs 1 lakh for Haj Pilgrims, an increase in their monthly salaries of Imams, and additional financial support to the Waqf Board. These decisions have sparked unease within the BJP and its ally Jana Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Although the BJP entered into an alliance with the TDP for electoral benefits, the party distanced itself from Naidu’s stance early on, evident in its boycott of the NDA election manifesto release press conference.
Sources suggest that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has privately cautioned Naidu against pushing a dynastic agenda by appointing his son, Nara Lokesh, as Deputy Chief Minister. Now, similar pressure may mount regarding his minority appeasement policies, which contradict the BJP’s core principle of governance based on equality rather than religious favouritism. While the BJP is currently constrained in confronting Naidu openly, its growing discomfort suggests that a future reckoning is inevitable.
The BJP-led NDA government in New Delhi does not necessarily depend on the TDP’s support to stay in power, even if the numbers in Parliament are tight. The party is likely biding its time, strategically working to strengthen its own foothold before making any decisive moves against Naidu. Political observers believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has placed considerable trust in Pawan Kalyan, expects the Jana Sena leader to rein in Naidu and prevent further deviation from the NDA’s core ideological commitments.
Pawan Kalyan has proven to be a staunch supporter of BJP’s ideological standpoints. He previously defended Sanatan Dharma when Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin controversially likened it to diseases like dengue and malaria. More recently, he challenged the DMK government’s opposition to the Centre’s three-language formula, standing firm against criticisms from leftist intellectuals like actor Prakash Raj. Kalyan’s ideological alignment with the BJP makes him a potential counterforce against Naidu’s wavering stance, but whether he will actively intervene remains uncertain.
Despite his public praise for Prime Minister Modi, Naidu’s governance in Andhra Pradesh does not entirely reflect BJP’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (‘Development for All, Appeasement of None’). The central government’s welfare schemes, from subsidized gas cylinders to housing initiatives, have been designed to benefit all communities equally, often even disproportionately favouring minorities. Yet, certain Muslim leaders continue to oppose Modi’s reforms, such as the proposed amendments to the Waqf Board Act, aimed at protecting minority interests through transparency.
Modi’s government has remained steadfast in its policies despite pushback, whether in the case of Article 370 abrogation, Triple Talaq abolition, or Waqf Board reforms. However, Naidu’s willingness to contradict the BJP’s fundamental principles while maintaining an alliance with it raises critical questions. How long can the BJP tolerate such ideological divergence? At what point does Naidu’s balancing act become politically untenable?
The BJP’s unwavering stance on governance transparency and equality has begun resonating with a segment of the Muslim electorate, challenging decades-old narratives of appeasement politics. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has himself acknowledged that parties like Congress, SP, BSP, and RJD have historically exploited Muslims as a vote bank without genuinely improving their socio-economic conditions. His critique underscores the shifting political landscape, where traditional Muslim loyalty to certain parties is no longer guaranteed.
The BJP, by contrast, has positioned itself as a party offering tangible benefits rather than tokenistic promises. If this trend continues, it may not be long before more Muslim voters reevaluate their alignment with parties that have relied on appeasement without delivering results. Against this backdrop, Naidu’s efforts to play both sides may not only alienate his BJP allies but also fail to secure lasting loyalty from the minority communities he is attempting to court.
Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP now face a critical juncture. Can they continue this dual policy—appeasing minorities while maintaining an alliance with a party fundamentally opposed to such tactics? If the BJP and its ideological allies in Andhra Pradesh begin exerting more pressure, Naidu may be forced to choose. The discontent within the NDA is already palpable, and history suggests that such contradictions eventually lead to political ruptures.
The Karnataka Congress government presents a parallel scenario. When Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was criticized for his Hindu religious engagements, he firmly asserted his faith, signalling that even within secular political frameworks, personal and ideological convictions hold weight. Similarly, the sentiments within BJP and TDP rank and file could soon reach a tipping point, forcing Naidu to reassess his strategy.
Ultimately, while Naidu’s massive electoral mandate may seem secure for now, his ability to sustain it depends on political coherence. If he persists with this dual policy, he risks alienating both his BJP allies and his voter base. The question is not whether Naidu will face consequences, but when and how they will unfold. (The author is former Assistant Editor and Chief Of Bureau, Deccan Chronicle)
