Inquisitive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of Telangana queried the rationale behind the BJP reconciling with former allies and embracing new affiliations if they harbor such confidence in the NDA securing over 400 seats in the imminent Lok Sabha elections.
Delivering his address in Hyderabad, CM Reddy remarked, “Modi traverses the nation proclaiming that they (BJP-led NDA) are poised to secure over 400 seats (in the Lok Sabha polls). If they are destined to exceed 400 seats, then why engage with Chandrababu Naidu (in Andhra Pradesh) and Naveen Patnaik (in Odisha)?”
While the BJP finalized a seat-sharing agreement with the TDP and the Jana Sena, led by actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan, prior to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, negotiations appear underway for a comparable arrangement in Odisha.
The Telangana CM asserted that PM Modi is constructing a deceptive narrative, suggesting that the NDA is poised to secure more than 400 seats in the forthcoming polls. In Maharashtra, the BJP orchestrated divisions within the Shiv Sena and the NCP.
In Karnataka, they forged alliances with HD Dewe Gowda, and in the neighboring Andhra Pradesh, they reconciled with Chandrababu Naidu. In Bihar, they reestablished ties with Nitish Kumar and the JDU while also securing an alliance with Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel in Uttar Pradesh.
Concurrently, negotiations are ongoing with Naveen Patnaik for an alliance in Odisha. Reddy questioned, “If the BJP is assured of securing 400 seats, why are they seeking alliances with opposition leaders and parties?”
Taking a jab at the BJP regarding the surging prices of fuel and LPG, the Telangana CM highlighted that despite LPG falling under the GST ambit, the costs of cooking gas have surged from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,200 over the past eight years.
“Presently, the cost of domestic LPG cylinders, once priced at Rs. 400 per cylinder, has escalated to Rs. 1,200. Petrol has surged from Rs. 50 per litre to Rs. 110 per litre, and diesel is now priced at Rs. 100 per litre, up from Rs. 40 per litre. I need not delve into the escalating rates of kitchen essentials such as salt, pulses, oil, and tamarind. With prices skyrocketing, would you still cast your vote (for the BJP)?” he queried.
Earlier on Saturday, the BJP declared an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party and the Jana Sena in anticipation of the general elections. BJP national president JP Nadda stated that a broad consensus was achieved, with the TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP jointly contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh.
The TDP, formerly part of the National Democratic Alliance until 2018, expressed interest in reviving the alliance after facing a resounding defeat in the 2019 elections.
With 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats at stake in the state, elections for the Lok Sabha are anticipated to occur between April and May. The ruling party aspires to secure a third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, setting ambitious goals of winning 370 seats independently and 400 with coalition partners.