AP is abuzz with the talk of a possible alliance between the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and the Pawan Kalyan-helmed Jana Sena. The Sunday meeting of the two top leaders has added grist to the rumour mills on the issue of electoral alliance. However, the alliance is easier said than done. There appear to be several roadblocks to this political alliance.
The general understanding in the pro-TDP media is that the Jana Sena would be given some 25-30 seats and that the TDP will contest from the rest of the seats. However, this alliance is going to be different because till now Chandrababu Naidu had entered into alliance with only weak parties like the BJP and the Left. He would give them five or six seats and contest the rest.
However, this time it is going to be different. The Jana Sena cadre and the thinking heads are determined to settle for nothing less than 75 seats. They argue that the party had done quite well and polled a considerable number of votes in at least 40 of the 170 seats. They also feel that the Kapus have now rallied completely behind the Jana sena. Hence, they are demanding a fair share of the seats.
If the TDP parts with 75 seats, it would be left with just 100 seats. Given the possibility of a close fight, the TDP may not be able to win the majority all by itself. If that happens, the party will have to depend on the Jana Sena for support. This would only mean that the Jana Sena would be in the driver’s seat. This is a new situation for the TDP. It remains to be seen how Chandrababu will tackle the situation.