BJP biding its time in AP, TS

In the case of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it does not rule out new alignments in the future, if not immediately. “There is no need to rush into anything right now in the Telugu States. There are several options here. For the time being, the going is smooth in Andhra Pradesh and we do not want to get hyper with anything.” The sources said several social groupings and leaders are interacting with the BJP leadership at various levels in AP and it was a good sign. The stock taking of the BJP in Telangana would begin only after the GHMC elections

New Delhi: While the national leadership of the BJP is exploring the "identity politics" in the States going to Assembly elections this year (Assam, West Bengal, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala), in the case of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it is just biding its time to recast its moves.

Sources in the party disclosed here on Thursday that the party leadership spent almost an year in grasping the political undercurrents in the five States going to polls systematically and methodically and has drawn its own conclusions on the possible ties that it could afford to.

Contrary to the earlier resolve to adopt a stand-alone approach to the elections, the national leadership now is more amenable to reason and is not ruling out possibilities of alliances in different States.

Similarly, in the case of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it does not rule out new alignments in the future, if not immediately. "There is no need to rush into anything right now in the Telugu States. There are several options here. For the time being, the going is smooth in Andhra Pradesh and we do not want to get hyper with anything".

The sources said several social groupings and leaders are interacting with the BJP leadership at various levels in AP and it was a good sign. "There are certain constraints here but we are aware of the shape of the things to come. The Congress party is null and void here and is left with only leaders. Road for the TDP is quite tough, and their plans to develop the State – at the scale they are planning to – could run into hurdles any time.

Moreover, Amaravati itself is going to be the most serious challenge for the AP Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu. We are also wary of Naidu's moves in view of the past history. We will cross the bridge when we reach there. But, exploring of options continues here too.” To a question on whether Kapus figure prominently in their scheme of things the answer was "not from Pawan Kalyan context anyway. But, yes, Kapus are an important lot, so are also all those disgruntled elements in the State.

It is more an issue of emergence of a strong leader here as well as in Telangana.” As for Telangana, the BJP acknowledges that there is "quite a good space" for the party here. "Hyderabad and Rangareddy apart, we are strong in left wing extremism-affected areas, too. The three north Telangana districts of Nizamabad, Warangal and Karimnagar are not only bastions of the TRS but also strongholds of BJP," the sources add.

Though, there is no hurry for the party to change its game plan in Telangana, it is not averse to sailing with the TRS "in case of such an exigency arising.” The stock taking of the BJP in Telangana would begin only after the GHMC elections perhaps as it would like to see whether the TRS, which it considers as a "rural based party so far,” has the potential to emerge as an urban phenomenon in a cosmopolitan city like Hyderabad.

The reason for this, the sources explain, "the TRS win in the general elections was more of a contextual issue like Telangana sentiment. And Hyderabad is, unlike other Southern cities, more linked to northern culture and ethos. An ever expanding Hyderabad with its real estate boom is not an easy proposition for the TRS leadership to handle.

The migration of AP people to Telangana is not going to stop come what may. In fact, it would only increase in the next 10 years. So, without a pan national appeal, the TRS or any other party would be losing propositions. We are the only national party and are growing stronger by the day unlike the Congress. Hence, we are not worried about our prospects. As you say, if there arises a need to join hands, we will consider that too".

As a part of its political moves, the party is asking the Centre to extend all help to the two Telugu States financially "so that when the time comes, we could stake a claim to the development of the States. It should be easier to woo people than holding back finances.”

Coming to the Communists, the party is not worried about their role in future "as they have little opportunity to wage mass movements and endear themselves to the people. Similar is going to the plight of the Congress. It is shrinking and will soon be confined to the museums as other regional forces and identity politics take over their space.”