NEW DELHI: Top sources in TDP say they never seriously considered joining the I.N.D.I Alliance.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), whose support of 16 Members of Parliament is crucial for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to run its full course of five years, will not rock the boat given the fact that Andhra Pradesh, where the party has come to power, needs an amicable, stable and strong government in New Delhi to execute the series of development projects needed for the welfare of the state.
TDP chief N. Chandra Babu Naidu, popularly known as NCBN, party sources said, even if given a choice to join the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A bloc, will be resisting to do so as he has a more comfortable working and personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi than I.N.D.I leaders. TDP sources said that long before the general elections took place, Naidu had indicated to his close circle of party leaders that he would prefer working with Modi rather than with the I.N.D.I alliance.
Top sources in TDP, while speaking to The Sunday Guardian, highlighted the reasons why despite media reports and statements by I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders, never ever seriously considered joining the opposition alliance after the Lok Sabha results were announced on 4 June.
As per the 2022-23 revised estimate of Andhra Pradesh, sovereign debt constituted 32.4% of the total Gross State Domestic Product (GDSP). The debt to GDP ratio of Andhra Pradesh in financial year 2023-24 was 53%, the highest among all states, followed by Punjab and Nagaland. Odisha’s was the lowest with 13.1%.
Economists say that there are two main reasons for this high ratio that can be attributed to the factors that can be controlled—fiscal policies and political decisions.
In the run-up to the election, Naidu had promised cash payments to unemployed youth and children, free travel to women and free LPG cylinders, all of which will require about Rs 55,000-60,000 crore. TDP sources said that while it is accepted that its demand for a “special category status” from Delhi is unlikely to materialize, but an enhanced economic package and big projects are something that they believe will happen.
Top TDP sources say that unless Andhra Pradesh has a cordial relationship with the Centre and the government is stable, and in a situation not to be affected by internal push and pull of the regional parties, the state will not be able to implement the policies that NCBN has envisioned as per his “vision 2047”.
In August last year, Naidu unveiled his Vision-2047 document in which he gave five strategies for India’s development. For India and Andhra to develop, he ideated his views related to energy revolution, water security, digital transformation, demographic management and global engagement that included encouraging the diaspora to invest back into India.
Responding to questions about TDP not given its “fair” share in the Union Cabinet as the Opposition has been alleging, a senior party leader said that all TDP leaders who have emerged in the last five years, some of whom won in these elections, have ample time on their side and hence no one is “worried” about a ministerial post. Rather all believe that if they work hard with a clear objective in the coming five years they will be in a much better position to stake claim when the next elections take place.
According to them, given the “inherent” weaknesses of the I.N.D.I Alliance—that of being composed of more than two dozen parties, all having their own aspirations and demands—it would not have been feasible for the TDP in the long term to consider supporting the bloc.