The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is closely watching developments in Andhra Pradesh where former chief minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Jagan Mohan Reddy’s statement expressing support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and seeking electoral reforms is being perceived as an indication that the once “friendly party” could be moving towards the opposition bloc.
He alleged that the delimitation of divisions and wards had been carried out to favour the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition. The system has a flaw that needs to be corrected. Trust in the electoral process must be restored. The arrests of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka do not solve anything; it only aggravates the situation. I empathise with @SauravDassss and @AshutoshRanka. And in Telangana too, the BJP, will have to contest against a formidable opponent.
He also expressed regret over his party’s support for the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which governs the appointment of Election Commissioners in 2023. The former CM also expressed concerns over the SIR and said 4.6 million fake voters had been identified across the country, and the government had decided to proceed with the elections using an unrevised electoral roll.
“Approving that, I am regretting it now,” Jagan said, while addressing the media. Earlier this week, Jagan, in a post on X, said, “A proactive approach always yields better results than a reactive stance. On the political impact of the realignment, BJP leaders said the coming together of Reddy and the Congress in Andhra Pradesh will pose a challenge to the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally of the BJP-led NDA.
Reddy on Sunday said the appointment of election commissioners should be independent of the government in power.
“Of late, there have been indications that the YSRCP will join the INDIA bloc. If that were to happen then the opposition will gain support from the larger coalition of Christian and Muslim voters in AP.
The percentage of Christian voters is high in AP and they support Jagan, they also have a significant presence in Telangana, which the Congress will benefit from,” said a BJP leader.
Explaining the shift in votes, he said that if the YSRCP aligns with the Congress, the Reddys in Telangana too will shift alliance to CM Revanth Reddy. “There is a significant settler vote (voters who shifted from Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema but are registered voters in Telangana) that is crucial in 20-30 constituencies in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) region, in places such as Gachibowli, Khammam, and Suryapet, which the Congress will gain if the realignment occurs,” the leader said.
