Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the first election rally organized by TDP-Janasena-BJP was disappointing. There is dissatisfaction among both the people of the state and the TDP-Janasena cadre.
Despite repeatedly urging voters to support the NDA alliance, the Prime Minister failed to mention any specific support from the Center for the state’s development. Leaders and activists from the three parties had anticipated Modi presenting a roadmap for the state’s development, which they feel has been neglected during the past five years under the YCP regime.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi barely mentioned Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s name, except once, and appeared to show a soft corner towards him. This is noteworthy because in 2019, after Chandrababu Naidu exited the NDA alliance, Modi had used harsh language against the then-chief minister, accusing him of treating “Polavaram” as an ATM.
However, Modi’s speech did not address the corruption cases against Jagan Mohan Reddy or his alleged financial mismanagement. There was also no mention of political victimization against opponents or the deteriorating law and order situation.
Some time ago, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had described Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy as the adopted son of Prime Minister Modi at a meeting in Anantapur district. Modi’s attitude suggests he still views Jagan as a natural ally, albeit due to political compulsions arising from the alliance with TDP.
Modi remained silent on contentious issues such as the completion of the Polavaram project, the construction of the AP Capital, and the privatization of the Visakha Steel Plant, in which his government needs to play a crucial role. Despite the meeting being organized by TDP and the majority of the crowd being TDP supporters, it appeared that BJP leaders had taken control of the stage management.
A BJP functionary remarked that the Prime Minister’s speech seemed more appropriate for a BJP-ruled state rather than an opposition-ruled one. Modi focused heavily on criticizing Congress, whose vote share is comparable to NOTA, rather than the ruling YSRCP.
His allegation of collusion between Congress and YSRCP, with Congress attempting to divide anti-government votes, was not appreciated even by BJP cadre.
