Eagerly waiting TDP and Jana Sena leaders for nominated posts in the coalition government are expressing disappointment with the delay in filling up of those posts. They expected some key posts may be filled in July itself and by August 15 most of those posts to be filled. But, according to sources due to BJP’s ambitions for garnering a large share in those posts blocking the entire process.
More prominently, several former ministers, district party presidents and senior leaders from the TDP, who have sacrificed their seats to give place for Jana Sena and BJP candidates, besides newcomers into the party, are eagerly waiting for nominated posts.
The TDP leadership has received applications for nominated posts from as many as 23,000 party leaders and activists. But available posts are less than 1500, including 103 state level corporations. Of these, about 40 per cent need to be given to Jana Sena and BJP. Though Jana Sena leadership is amicable in sharing these posts and not making heavy demands, the BJP is insisting for a lion share, beyond its political presence in the state.
Initially, it was proposed that TDP should take 60 percent of nominated posts, leaving 30 percent to Jana Sena and 10 percent to BJP. But BJP leadership is said to be insisting for nearly one fourth of nominated posts. Moreover, BJP’s move to nominate some of its leaders, who are known for their proximity with former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy is creating strong dissent from TDP ranks.
Already leaders like Somu Veerraju and Vishnu Vardhan Reddy were denied seats in recent elections by the TDP leadership making it clear that even if TDP officially supported them no TDP voter will vote for them. But, now the BJP leadership is again bringing such names into focus.
TDP leadership is said to be furious against BJP’s pressure tactics. It is recalling that during the first term of the Narendra Modi government even though TDP accommodated BJP nominees in its cabinet and also given some nominated posts, not a single TDP nominee was given a nominated post in the central government.
Presently, though TDP has emerged as a key supporter for the survival of Modi’s government, no one from the party offered a Governor post or any nominated post at the center. Even it has avoided posts like Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy speaker.
However, Chandrababu Naidu seems to be not in a mood of confrontation with the BJP at the present juncture and attempting for a smooth relations. This has resulted in postponement of nominated posts.
