Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu
Hyderabad:
12 days after they struck a deal which is considered a game-changer,
Chandrababu Naidu and the BJP appear dangerously close to break point. BJP leader Prakash Javadekar had been sent to Hyderabad for urgent negotiations.
If the partnership in Andhra Pradesh flatlines, it will be the first major blow in weeks for the BJP, which is being forecast to accrue one of its strongest electoral performances ever, enabled by clever strategic alliances.
Mr Naidu, head of the Telugu Desam Party, said at a rally today that he is unhappy with some candidates chosen by the BJP for the state election, which will be held simultaneously with the national election on April 30 and May 7.
Mr Naidu, sources said, felt that the BJP candidates he had circled were weak, and feared that voters will reject not just them, but by association, his party's candidates for Parliament as well. The state BJP reportedly made it clear that he has no right to intervene in its choice of candidates. (
Read: BJP announces alliance with Chandrababu Naidu's TDP)
Mr Naidu's candidates have already begun filing nominations in some constituencies assigned under the alliance to the BJP. (
Elections: Full coverage)
Political observers say the TDP has too much to lose by backing out of its pre-poll alliance with the BJP, seen as a frontrunner in the national elections.
Opinion polls show the BJP, led by prime ministerial candidate
Narendra Modi, accruing a strong performance in the two regions collectively referred to as Seemandhra which will form the new and down-sized Andhra Pradesh once Telangana is carved out as India's 29th state on June 2.