BJP focus on Telangana, AP

​New Delhi: There is no all-weather friend for the BJP in the two Telugu States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

There could always be a role reversal due to political exigencies and anything could happen in the future, top BJP sources emphasise.

With this awareness, the BJP is redrawing its ‘Southern Reality’ strategy, which it refers to the two States.

"There is an ally for the time being in one (AP) and another ruling party which is to be taken on at any cost in the other (TS).

Our politics shall be played accordingly and our plans will be put in place suitably," said the sources.

That is how the Central BJP leadership prefers to put things in perspective as far as its 'Telugu-Scheme' is concerned.

Well-placed sources in the party feel that the focus would "really shift" to these two States soon after the UP Assembly elections. The BJP's performance in UP would be keenly watched by all and the national leadership has no doubt about the same.

It is also aware of the fact that the UP result would have the potential to impact its equations with both its rivals as well allies.

"Demonetisation is just one of the issues that would be harped in future basing on its success and impact. We are under no illusion that our allies would back us if it fails to impact the society positively.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the rest of the party is not blind to this possibility. The government is doing everything according to a plan keeping long-term gains to the economy and society in view. Hence we are positive that this would help us further in strengthening the party in every State.

The fact that Modi is interacting with the people almost on a daily basis through his public meetings, tweets and Man ki Baat programme, is no small strategy.

Just as in other States of the country, even in the two Telugu States, Modi is the tallest leader. Hence, we are not ready to dilute our efforts in AP and TS a wee bit to occupy the existing political space", sources told The Hans India on Saturday.

Going by its own admission, while in AP, the TDP continues to remain an ally, there will be no effort spared in wooing sections inimical to the party after the UP elections.

"As long as we are allies we look for comparative progress. All the while, we shall also exert to increase our strength.
But we are not looking at consolidation of castes here in AP. Modi's image is beyond such petty considerations.

The benefits of demonetisation and other reforms set to be rolled shall definitely be exploited by the party in AP too".

In case of Telangana, the party plans to go all out from next year irrespective of the public posturing of the TRS leadership.

"We have our evaluation of KCR and we know how shrewd he is. The effort here would be two-fold - one to decimate the Congress here and the second to emerge as an alternate force to the TRS," sources said.

Asked to elaborate further on its perception of KCR's moves, the party leadership quips, "he changes his stance swiftly. None could be compared to him perhaps in this regard in this country (among politicians).

Of all the regional party leadership he is perhaps the shrewdest. He will simply bide his time and make his move.

One moment he could be the most accommodating, the next, you are a total stranger to him. So, till the very last, we have to treat him a rival and plan accordingly".

On whether KCR could turn an ally in the end game, the sources said, "it is hypothetical and farfetched".

On whether CBN could continue to be an all-weather friend, the BJP sources said, "weather changes and so do politicians. Hence, we should have plans ready".