BJP seals alliance with TDP,  Jana Sena Party in Andhra Pradesh for Lok Sabha elections 2024

New Delhi, March 9:  In a significant development for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aiming to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and achieve its ambitious target of 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the party has successfully finalised an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party in Andhra Pradesh.

The announcement of this strategic alliance was made by TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, who expressed confidence that the coalition would secure a sweeping victory in the Assembly elections in the state, expected to coincide with the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the critical situation in Andhra Pradesh and stated, "The BJP and the TDP coming together is a win-win situation for the country and the state," as reported by a news agency. Following Naidu's statement, BJP president JP Nadda welcomed the TDP and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) into the NDA fold.

In a post on the social media platform X, Nadda extended a warm welcome, saying, "I wholeheartedly welcome the decision of Shri @ncbn (Chandrababu Naidu's handle) and (JSP chief) Shri @PawanKalyan to join the NDA family. Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi ji, BJP, TDP, and JSP are committed to the progress of the country and the upliftment of the state and people of Andhra Pradesh."

The alliance materialised after a meeting between Chandrababu Naidu, Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, and senior BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah. The negotiations resulted in an agreement, addressing key considerations of each party involved. Sources revealed that the BJP aimed to contest 10 out of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh, while the TDP asserted its position as the primary opposition party in the state.

As per the agreement, the TDP is set to contest 17 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP six, and the JSP two. The specific constituencies allocated to each party will be determined after a BJP delegation visits Andhra Pradesh.

This alliance marks a significant shift, especially for the TDP, which was part of the NDA until 2018. The departure from the coalition occurred under Naidu's leadership when he was the Andhra Pradesh CM, citing insufficient financial support for the state. The renewed alliance with the BJP becomes crucial for the TDP following its defeat against the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2019.

During the 2019 elections, the YSRCP secured 22 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats and 151 out of 175 Assembly constituencies, leaving the TDP with only three and 23 victories in the respective categories. The BJP, seeking to strengthen its presence in southern states, particularly where it has been perceived as relatively weak, sees this alliance as a strategic move.

Despite occasional support from the YSRCP on legislative matters, the BJP is aware of the necessity to enhance its standing in the southern region, where it won only 29 out of 130 Lok Sabha constituencies in 2019. The party aims to substantially improve this performance to achieve its solo target of 370 seats and the broader goal of 400 for the NDA.

The BJP's alliance with the TDP and Jana Sena Party in Andhra Pradesh represents a significant political maneuver, setting the stage for a competitive and dynamic electoral landscape in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.