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TDP-BJP differences strain NDA, but things may change in a year

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9 years ago

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TDP-BJP differences strain NDA, but things may change in a year

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and BJP have parted ways, their members resigning from governments led by each other’s leaders, and the former would consider whether it would stay on in BJP-led National Democratic alliance (NDA).

This signifies a clear strain in their relations which, if it continues, could do damage to BJP’s prospects in the Lok Sabha elections due in the beginning of summers in 2019. The NDA has 17 MPs in Lok Sabha from Andhra Pradesh and BJP alone has just two, the rest from TDP, the third largest constituent of NDA. Given the issue on which the split has happened, chances of BJP tying up with TDP’s rival YSR Congress are doubtful. There is, however, one full year to go before the Lok Sabha elections and that is a long time in politics. In today’s politics, it is a very very long time. In any case, the BJP, with 274 MPs in Lok Sabha, does not need any other party’s support for the survival of the government at the Centre.

For now, the TDP-BJP rift is out in the open. BJP ministers in Andhra Pradesh government, Srinivasa Rao and T Manikyala Rao, submitted their resignations after Chandrababu Naidu announced that TDP members in the Union Council of Ministers will resign on Thursday.

Shortly after the resignations of BJP ministers in his cabinet, Naidu said that the two TDP leaders in Modi government, Aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Minister of State for science and technology YS Chowdary, too have submitted their resignations.

Naidu is yet to decide on whether his party will pull out of the BJP-led NDA Democratic Alliance completely.

While the two parties decided to snap ties, there was no bitterness in evidence. When the BJP ministers reached CM Office to submit their resignations, the TDP ministers hugged the quitting BJP ministers and also posed for cameras. The BJP members’ resignation letters were also appreciative of the CM and the chance to work under him.

Naidu’s move is being seen as forced on him by state politics ahead of the Assembly election next year. He is facing a lot of heat from the opposition YSR Congress which accuses Naidu of failing Andhra Pradesh by not ensuring special status for it as a partner at the Centre. Andhra’s political parties say nothing short of “special status” will do as that was promised to the state when it was bifurcated to carve out a new state Telangana, leaving what was left of Andhra Pradesh in a deep revenue deficit.

On Wednesday night, Naidu announced his decision to pull out TDP ministers from the centre, hours after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out “special status” for Andhra Pradesh. NDTV reported TDP lawmaker Ravindra Babu as saying that the next “logical step” is to exit the BJP-led national alliance NDA, but Chandrababu Naidu seemed to leave options open, saying he would “plan further course of action” based on the Centre’s reaction to his decision.

At an emergency press briefing on Wednesday night Chandrababu Naidu said the TDP has taken the “painful decision” to withdraw its ministers from the Centre in the interest of the state, as it was left with no other option. The TDP joined the NDA just ahead of the 2014 national elections.

“I went to Delhi 29 times, met Prime Minister and Central Ministers and requested them to fulfil our demands,” said Naidu, “When the intended purpose (of joining the Union Cabinet) has not been served, there is no point in continuing. For me the sole agenda is to safeguard the interests of the state.”

The chief minister also said he tried to speak to PM Modi on phone as a courtesy to inform him about the decision to pull out of the government. “It is my responsibility as a coalition partner to inform the prime minister about our party decision. My OSD spoke to his OSD but the prime minister did not come on line,” he said, according to media reports.

On Wednesday evening, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said the Centre was happy to give Andhra Pradesh funds, but said giving it “special category status” as demanded by Naidu was not possible. The reason cited, said a report in the India Express (IE), was the Constitutional limitation of 14th Finance Commission report: after the implementation of the 14th Finance Commission award, such a treatment was “constitutionally” restricted to just the north-eastern and three hill states.

At the time of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and birth of Telangana, a special category status could be given to AP as at that time, concept of special category states did exist. But when the 14th Finance Commission report came in, a constitutional award, they said there is no special category status that can now be given, the IE report quoted Jaitley as saying.

“We are committed to give monetary equivalent of a special status to Andhra Pradesh. We are awaiting response from the Andhra Pradesh government,” Jaitley said at Wednesday’s press conference. He also said that just because it is a political issue, the quantum of assistance can’t be increased.

According to NDTV, there was another statement from Jaitley that did not go down well with Naidu. Jaitley said, “The Centre cannot say now that all the funds that I have will now be given to the states and I have no money because after all the security of India is a Central responsibility.”

Chandrababu Naidu said Jaitley’s words were “hurtful and insulting,” alleging that they suggested that the TDP was “asking for money at the expense of the country’s Defence Budget… Jaitley spoke like we asked for all the money. We felt insulted.”

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INDIA bloc likely to meet on September 30 over Gyanesh Kumar row

INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 amid growing opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Rahul-Gandhi

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns surrounding the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a proposed removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed meeting comes amid growing coordination among opposition parties over the functioning of the poll panel and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties are also discussing a possible joint response to the developments.

Why is the INDIA bloc meeting being planned?

The INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 comes amid reports of objections within the Election Commission over certain decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise. 

According to the report, Opposition leaders have been discussing a coordinated response to their concerns over the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process. 

The issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29, a day before the proposed INDIA bloc meeting.

Gyanesh Kumar removal demand in focus

The demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.

The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded Kumar’s removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. Congress has also intensified its criticism of the CEC.

Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar. The September 30 meeting is expected to finalise the strategy for the motion, including the collection of signatures. According to the report, this would be the Opposition’s third such attempt. 

What is the SIR controversy?

The political dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several occasions concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR process.

The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are part of normal deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has also maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures, while stating that the final decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously. 

TMC and Left parties coordinate over the issue

The developments have also brought the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) together on the Election Commission issue, despite their political differences in West Bengal.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby proposed an immediate meeting to discuss a joint strategy. According to the report, Mamata Banerjee spoke with M A Baby and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after which the leaders settled on September 30 for the meeting. 

What could be discussed at the September 30 meeting?

The proposed meeting is expected to focus on:

  • Concerns surrounding the Election Commission
  • The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
  • Opposition demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar
  • A possible fresh removal notice against the CEC
  • A coordinated response by INDIA bloc parties

The exact agenda and participation will depend on the discussions among the opposition parties before the proposed meeting.

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Gandhi Parivar vs Sangh Parivar, Revanth Reddy’s remark sparks BJP attack

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks contrasting the Gandhi Parivar with the Sangh Parivar triggered a BJP response accusing Congress of prioritising the Gandhi family.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar have triggered a political exchange, with the BJP hitting back at the Congress leader.

Speaking in Kerala on Friday, Mr Reddy described the contest over India’s future as a fight between the two “parivars”. He said the Gandhi family had made sacrifices for the country while accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to divide India on the basis of religion, caste, region and language.

What Revanth Reddy said

Mr Reddy cited Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi while speaking about what he described as sacrifices made by the Gandhi family.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying they had given up positions, power and high office.

The Telangana Chief Minister said he had no remaining personal political ambitions and described his objective as working towards a Congress-led government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Mr Reddy also appealed to people to stand with the Gandhi Parivar and oppose the Sangh Parivar. He described the latter as a threat to India’s democracy.

BJP hits back

The BJP responded to Mr Reddy’s remarks on Saturday.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments amounted to an admission that Congress’s objective was to bring the Gandhi family back to power.

He also linked Mr Reddy’s remarks to the ongoing political debate around “vote chori”, the Election Commission, the Constitution and democracy, arguing that the Congress’s focus was instead on the Gandhi family.

The exchange adds to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Mr Reddy presenting the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar as opposing forces in India’s political future, while the BJP has interpreted his remarks as evidence of Congress’s focus on the Gandhi family.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

Published

2 days ago

on

September 25, 2026

By

Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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