In the theatre of Indian politics, yesterday’s adversaries often become today’s allies. But the visible bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu is more than just a political convenience. It signals a strategic reset—deep, calculated, and long overdue. This week’s grand show of camaraderie in Amaravati, where the Prime Minister inaugurated nearly ₹1 lakh crore worth of infrastructure projects—including ₹53,000 crore investments in the state capital alone—was not just optics. It was a clear message: the past is behind them. The mutual admiration was not cloaked in diplomatic restraint. Modi hailed Naidu as a visionary leader committed to development. Naidu, in turn, expressed full-throated support for the Centre’s initiatives, signalling unambiguous loyalty. For those with short memories, this alliance may seem natural. But the history is anything but smooth. Naidu, after all, played a critical role in toppling the Vajpayee government in 1999 and dramatically walked out of the NDA just before the 2019 elections. That exit cost him dearly—the TDP was decimated, and Naidu himself was politically isolated. That humiliation seems to have forced introspection. The once-ambitious kingmaker now appears more grounded, more focused on governance than grandstanding. Yet, it’s not just Naidu who’s recalibrating. Modi and the BJP, too, seem to have swallowed their pride. With a slender majority in the Lok Sabha and stiff opposition unity brewing, the BJP cannot afford to alienate potential allies in the South. Naidu offers not only numbers but also administrative experience and a proven track record in development—traits that Modi appreciates, and India needs.
But the alliance is not without its complications. The presence of Pawan Kalyan, actor-turned-politician and the BJP’s other ally in Andhra Pradesh, remains a strategic irritant for Naidu. Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party is often seen as the BJP’s backup plan—a check against any future betrayal by Naidu. If Naidu ever dreams of playing the kingmaker again or disrupting the NDA’s hold at the Centre, Kalyan is there to act as the firewall. That said, such defiance is unlikely. Naidu has learned the cost of political adventurism. Age, too, seems to have tempered Naidu. His earlier push to promote his son Lokesh has quietened, possibly after internal resistance from the BJP, which is wary of dynastic politics. Moreover, Naidu’s acceptance—if not outright endorsement—of the Centre’s stance on contentious issues like the Uniform Civil Code and the Waqf Board amendments suggests a leader who is no longer straddling the fence. Even on matters of national security, Naidu has aligned himself closely with Modi’s hardline posture. His statement that the “five crore people of Andhra Pradesh stand behind Modi in taking the fight against Pakistan to its logical conclusion” was not just a rhetorical flourish—it was a clear message to the Opposition: the TDP is firmly with the BJP, not just in Parliament, but in ideology. More than political necessity, this new partnership seems rooted in shared ambition. Naidu wants to replicate the Hyderabad model of development in a truncated Andhra Pradesh. With Amaravati’s challenging geography—sitting on a riverbed and plagued by delays—he needs the Centre’s financial muscle. Modi, for his part, needs credible, development-focused allies in the South to counterbalance his northern strongholds. Critics may scoff and call it opportunism. But in a democracy, alliances are built on mutual interests. What’s unfolding between Modi and Naidu is not just a tactical handshake—it’s the architecture of a long-term political blueprint. This is not a reunion. It’s a reboot. And there’s no looking back.