‘Naidu’s release MAY create sympathy wave for TDP’

NEW DELHI

Political experts in Andhra Pradesh suggest that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and ex-chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s release will create a greater sympathy wave for the party which will make it difficult for the incumbent CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to manage the political perception reducing his chance of repeating the government in the upcoming Assembly elections. On 9 September, TDP president Naidu was imprisoned in Rajahmundry Central Jail on judicial remand in connection with his alleged involvement in the Rs 371 crore state skill development corporation scam. A TDP insider and an ex MLA in YSRCP indicated that the potential for the TDP to break out from this crisis as a dominant party in the state is very high. The two leaders further claimed that Naidu’s speeches had started percolating widely among the masses which had threatened the current state government’s hold over the public perception. The TDP leader said, “That was the reason for the arrest of Naidu so that they could keep the party’s growth in check.”

TDP spokesperson Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy told The Sunday Guardian, “There is always an emotional bonding of Naidu with the public, there is no denying about that. But that is also the reason why people are coming out in huge numbers. They (YSRCP) have dug their own political grave. It will be the biggest mistake of his political life. Whenever elections happen they will be wiped out. The moment Mr Naidu was illegally arrested, the party has been very active, creating awareness among the people and spreading the truth. He added, “All the decisions taken and activities conducted by the party have been very successful and we have had huge participation. I don’t think there has been any such voluntary support any party has seen the way we are having it. A lot of sympathy is being generated. All our leaders are active across the state. There are activities on the ground. There is also very much presence on social media. That is the reason there is so much of participation. That is why Jagan is backtracking and going for damage control.”