Political obtuseness

The YSR Congress displayed its utter political obtuseness by extending support to the candidate of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the ensuing Presidential elections. The major opposition party in Andhra Pradesh seems to be unembarrassed to join the BJP-led bandwagon in this significant political battle though its arch-rival Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is an important partner in it.

More significantly, the party failed to offer any worthwhile political explanation for its stand. The YSR Congress has a right to support any party in any election. But, a political party should demonstrate political maturity in doing so.

Not just the TDP is an inalienable partner of the NDA, the YSR Congress accused the Centre of belying the hopes and aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh in denying the special status to the beleaguered state. The party would have shown political sagacity if this support was at least conditional upon the grant of special status.

Two explanations can be offered for this stand of YSRCP. First, it shows the remarkable alacrity with which the party is trying to forge any possible alliance with BJP in case the TDP severs its ties with the saffron party. But, there are no such signs of political estrangement to warrant swift moves by the YSR Congress.

Secondly, the YSRCP stand lends credence to the speculation of its critics that the party is eager to hobnob with BJP to avoid any action on the cases pending against its supremo, given the experience with the Congress regime in the past.

The YSR Congress support comes in handy for the BJP as the ruling combine is trying hard to gobble up numbers to win the Presidential polls.

Even the TRS seems to be in favour of supporting NDA nominee. But, the TRS can at least justify its action primarily on two counts. The NDA partners are not its major opponents in the state as it is pitted primarily against Congress in the local politics.

The TRS can also justify on the ground that it is the ruling party in the state and therefore keen on forging friendly ties with the Centre to seek favours for the state. But, the YSR Congress cannot give any such explanation for its political stand as the ruling NDA is its major opponent in the state politics too, though it is not in direct confrontation with the BJP.

The BJP and the YSR Congress have been largely maintaining strategic silence towards each other, though the BJP ministers in the state cabinet made personally castigating remarks over the YSR Congress leader on the floor of the state Assembly.

The YSR Congress is unlikely to gain any political points as the alliance between the BJP and the TDP is still intact. It’s certainly perplexing to see YSR Congress preferring to be with the NDA that rules not only Centre but state too when the national opposition is trying to field a common candidate.

More surprisingly the support is unsolicited as the BJP has not yet made any formal appeal to YSR Congress to support its nominee.