In the entire country, even states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu where the party presence is negligible, all the BJP candidates are mostly depending on the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi only. Even BJP’s election manifesto named as `Modi Guarantee and even Prime Minister himself in public meeting assuring that `Modi guarantee for you’.
But, in Andhra Pradesh not only its alliance parties like TDP and Jana Sena, even BJP candidates are avoiding mentioning Modi’s name. Several poll surveys at national level reveal that Modi is the most popular leader and choice for the Prime Minister of majority people in almost all states. But, only in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Punjab, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s popularity is ahead of Modi.
Whereas in Andhra Pradesh, Modi’s popularity is at the bottom. BJP’s vote share in 2019 also less than NOTA and below 1 per cent. Even BJP MP candidates hardly mention Modi’s name in their campaigns, unlike in all other states. That’s why BJP star campaigners hardly take part in the poll campaign in the state.
Ahead of finalising alliance with BJP, both TDP and Jana Sena expected that Muslims shifting their loyalty from YCP to them in the state. Even after alliance they are making every effort to convince them that irrespective of their alliance with BJP, they will stand for protection and welfare of Muslims.
Moreover, Minister Ambati Rambabu’s statement that even if they would win in all 25 Lok Sabha seats, they will extend support only to the BJP government at the center, as their party in principle opposes any alliance with Congress. This paved the way for TDP and Jana Sena to convince Muslims they can only stand for their interest.
It may be recalled that the BJP was kept away from a joint manifesto on the alibi that it is a national party and it was confined to TDP and Jana Sena. There is no photo of PM Modi. Hardly any cutouts of Modi are seen in the campaigns of three parties.
People in AP believe that only due to PM Modi’s support, CM Jagan is able to continue his regime of anarchy and cases of corruption are not moving ahead in courts. There is a strong feeling that without Modi’s concurrence Jagan could not dare to dilute Amaravati as state capital.
On the issue of Visakha Steel plant privatization, ignoring bifurcation promises like Polavaram Project, Visakha Rail Zone and Kadapa steel Plant, strong anti- Modi sentiments prevailed in the state.
