Can Chandrababu Naidu work closely with Narendra Modi the way he did with AB Vajpayee?

N. Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)

N. Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is in a position of power in New Delhi and Andhra Pradesh again after a long hiatus. Over the years, the TDP has played the role of kingmaker in New Delhi after the Lok Sabha elections and finds itself in that familiar position again.

Notably, the TDP helped the BJP’s AB Vajpayee form the government in 1999 by providing outside support. It had been a part of VP Singh's National Front government a decade earlier. In 1984, it was the second biggest party in Parliament when the Congress won a 414-seat landslide amid a sympathy wave following the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Known for his tough negotiating skills, Naidu is bargaining hard with PM Modi for plum portfolios in Modi 3.O. As the two leaders jostle it out, here’s a snapshot on what Naidu has said on issues such as caste census and reservations.

Naidu has consistently supported a 4 percent reservation for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh. This stance has been part of his long-standing commitment to address the socio-economic challenges faced by the Muslim community. Naidu reiterated this promise on May 5 in Andhra Pradesh, emphasising that his party has always advocated for these reservations and will continue to do so.

However, the alliance manifesto of the TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP for the Andhra Pradesh elections did not mention the 4 percent reservation for Muslims, despite Naidu's assurances. Naidu has also promised financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for those undertaking the Haj pilgrimage.

"Soon after the NDA comes to power in the state, Rs 1 lakh financial assistance will be extended to every Muslim who visits Mecca on the Haj pilgrimage," said Naidu, during the interaction with the Muslim community on May 1.

On the contrary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on several occasions opposed religion-based quotas.

“As long as I am alive, I will not let reservations of Dalits, adivasis, OBCs to be given to Muslims on the basis of religion,” Modi said on May 10 in Maharashtra during an election rally.

Naidu on the other hand, has defended his stance by highlighting the socio-economic backwardness of the Muslim community, asserting that the reservation is not purely based on religion but on empirical studies showing the need for affirmative action.

"From the beginning, we are supporting 4 percent Muslim reservation and that will continue,” Naidu had said on May 4, in Andhra Pradesh.

Caste census

The leader of the TDP had expressed strong support for a caste-based census in India but since talks with BJP on government formation have begun, Naidu has categorically come out in support of a skill census instead of a caste census.

The TDP leader has voiced his support for a skill census saying it would be progressive and productive. The primary goal of the skill census is to identify individuals' specific skills and provide appropriate training, which would ultimately enhance their productivity and future prospects, he told a news channel in an interview.

Naidu in the Vajpayee era

During the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Naidu played a pivotal role in supporting the BJP-led government and made several key demands that aligned with his party's and state's interests.

Naidu provided crucial support to the Vajpayee government during a critical confidence vote in 1998, which allowed him to continue as Prime Minister. This support was essential for the BJP, which was struggling to secure a majority at that time.

He, however, frequently pushed for special financial packages and infrastructure projects for Andhra Pradesh. His demands included increased central funding for state projects, special status for Andhra Pradesh, and significant investments in infrastructure such as roads, airports, and irrigation projects.

During Vajpayee's tenure, several projects in Andhra Pradesh received central assistance, including the development of the National Highway from Tada to Ichapuram, funding for the Velugu project, and the establishment of the international airport at Shamshabad. Naidu credited Vajpayee for supporting these initiatives, which were critical for the state's development.

Naidu's collaboration with the Vajpayee government was marked by a combination of strategic and political calculations and focused on demands for the development of Andhra Pradesh, illustrating his ability to leverage political alliances for regional benefits.