Behind Chandrababu Naidu's eagerness to revive TDP in Telangana

Chandrababu Naidu

The political imagery that emanated from Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart A. Revanth Reddy on July 6 sent two clear messages. One, there is a renewed effort to iron out differences and solves issues arising out of bifurcation of the state. Two, there is an implicit push by Naidu to launch the Telugu Desam Party in Telangana.

Political commentators feel that Naidu is emboldened by resounding comeback in Andhra Pradesh, and playing a decisive role in the continuance of the National Democratic government at the Centre. TDP sources privy to these developments say that Naidu had discussions on reviving the party in the state during his interactions with cadres and some important leaders during his two-day stay in Hyderabad on July 6.

Behind TDP’s reluctance to contest in Telangana

In the 2023 Assembly polls in Telangana, the party had refrained from contesting, prompting political pundits to write obituaries to the party in the state. Cut to 2024, a historic win in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has prompted Naidu to renew his focus on Telangana.

After the state bifurcation in 2014, the TDP, which carried the baggage and tag of 'Andhra Party', was seen to have lost its relevance in Telangana. In the 2018 Assembly polls, the TDP contested in alliance with Congress and polled around 3.5 per cent votes while winning just two seats. At that time, it had contested only 13 seats.

The fight for space and relevance

Political observers opine that Congress believes that the return of the TDP would mean the two regional parties would fight for space and relevance, ultimately benefiting the Congress in a three-cornered fight. But that is oversimplifying the political churn taking place in the Telugu states because Telangana is also witnessing the TDP-fication of the Congress. Not only is Revanth Reddy an ex-TDP leader, but many ex-TDP leaders who then spent a considerable amount of time enjoying the perks of power in the BRS, have now donned Congress colours.

Naidu’s political messaging in Hyderabad

The political messaging in Naidu’s Hyderabad’s address to partymen was too obvious to miss.Stating that both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were "two eyes" for him, Naidu expressed happiness that the cadre in Telangana was still "very active", though the TDP had not been in power for 20 years, since 2004. "I will always remember the unwavering support you all gave me in Hyderabad during my arrest. Over one lakh people gathered in Gachibowli to extend their support to me. I will soon restructure the party in Telangana," the TDP chief told a party meeting in Hyderabad.

The changed political situation in Telugu political space

The changed political equation in Telugu political space cannot be ignored. Unlike the pre-2014 period, the Congress and the TDP are no longer the principal rivals in the Telugu political space. The TDP was born as an anti-Congress force but now the Congress is down to zero in Andhra Pradesh, while Naidu would much rather settle scores with KCR than with Revanth Reddy. More importantly, Naidu would want to have a base in Hyderabad in order to have a free hand to showcase his past to hardsell his present in Amaravati.