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Now that it is more or less certain that megastar and Praja Rajyam Party president Chiranjeevi will not come to power, but would emerge as a deciding factor for the next government, the question that is doing rounds is which way he would go – the Congress or the Telugu Desam Party?
Normally, it is believed that the PRP has the backing of Kapus and they would never support the TDP, backed by their traditional rivals, Kammas. And since Kapus hitherto had been part of the Congress vote bank, they would prefer Chiranjeevi to support the Congress in the event of a hung Assembly.
There is a different argument by some other PRP leaders. According to them, the Left parties would play an important role in mediating between the TDP and the PRP. If the Congress does not get the majority, it amounts to people rejecting the YSR government and therefore, people would not appreciate a PRP-Congress nexus. Secondly, YSR has the capabilities of splitting the PRP strength, as he had done in the case of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi. Compared to YSR, the TDP president is a safe bet, they say.
However, Chiranjeevi can consider supporting the Congress, provided YSR is not their chief ministerial candidate. Will that happen?
Darsakaratna Dasari Narayana Rao has always been regarded as one man with great respect and image. However, with each passing day he seems to be spoiling it with his own hands. For some reason, his open hatred with Chiranjeevi seems to be backfiring against his own image.
As it is, his ‘Mestri’ caused quite a noise with many criticizing it to be personal attack on Chiru. Now, Dasari added more oil to the fire when he started canvassing during the last moments and ended up firing Chiru again with his sarcastic remarks.
The main reason for Dasari’s hatred on Chiranjeevi is not receiving respect in right form. Dasari was not invited by Chiru to join PRP. He was neglected. Now Dasari is waiting to see the downfall of PRP and also wishes Chiru too loses in Palakollu. If that happens Dasari would raise on Chiranjeevi with verbal bombardment of all forms, say sources. It seems that he would also encourage Jeevitha-Rajasekhar to use their words without fearing for Posani. We have to see if Dasari’s idea comes true.
Where is Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu going on holiday this summer?
Though TDP sources confirmed that Naidu, along with his family members, would be going on a 10-day holiday from Monday, they could not say where the family is going. Even the ticket bookings and other arrangements were made by Naidu’s Lokesh through internet; hence, party people are not aware of it.
However, there is a talk in NTR Bhavan that Naidu would be going to Switzerland, primarily to chill out. Moreover, doctors have advised him to go to a cooler place, since his skin got damaged during electioneering.
There could also be another reason for Naidu’s Switzerland visit: he would be checking his Swiss Bank accounts and might divert the money, in the wake of reports that the new government at the Centre might order an inquiry into the Indian money in Swiss Banks!
The Telugu Desam Party is angry with Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhara Rao’s statement that he would even go with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, if the latter forms the government at the Centre, to achieve his goal of Telangana.
TRS leaders said KCR’s statement did not surprise them, because everybody knows his double standard attitude. “We know that KCR is playing a gamble with us. But, unfortunately for him, the people have rejected him in the elections; you will see that the TRS would hardly get a double digit in the elections. He is going to Delhi not to press for Telangana, but to bargain with the BJP leadership for a Cabinet berth or two for his party MPs if the NDA forms the government,” a senior TD leader said.
The TDP leaders made it clear that the purpose of forging alliance with the TRS was served, as the Mahakootami fared well in the Telangana region. “Our understanding is only for the state. We are not bothered whether the TRS would go with the NDA or any other alliance at the Cenre,” they said.
Despite reports that the Congress has bleak chances of coming to power in the state, Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy still looks a cool and composed man.
YSR, who went to New Delhi on Sunday to brief Madam Sonia Gandhi about the prospects of the Congress coming to power, told media persons that he would stick to his earlier statement that he would own up responsibility for the party’s performance in the elections. “Whether the Congress wins 30 LS seats or three seats, it is entirely my responsibility,” he said.
He was all smiles when it was pointed out that the Mahakootami reportedly fared well in the elections. “Why are you in a hurry? Let us wait till May 16. You will know the verdict,” he said.
Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy may be putting up a brave face saying that the Congress would get 188 assembly and 35 Lok Sabha seats, but heart in hearts, he has realised that the chances of a hung assembly are more.
Therefore, he has reportedly asked his partymen to woo back all the rebels and independents, who have bright chances of winning the elections. His confidants like Ravichand, Vatti Vasanth Kumar and others have already started contacting such candidates and bargaining with them.
According to their estimates, the Congress would not get less than 125 seats and it might require another 25 seats to reach the magic figure.
Therefore, it is looking for all vulnerable candidates, including independents and even Praja Rajyam party candidates. And money bags are anyway available!
Will Praja Rajyam Party president Chiranjeevi become king or king maker?
Going by the indications, the megastar may not realise his ambition of becoming the next Chief Minister, but he will certainly decide the fate of his contenders. His party has done well in several parts of coastal Andhra and also Rayalaseema. Especially in East and West Godavari districts, where his Kapu community is predominant, there was overwhelming voting in favour of the PRP.
If the PRP can win at least 45-50 assembly seats, Chiranjeevi would play the role of king maker, deciding the fate of the Congress and the TDP. While the TDP-led grand alliance has fared better in the first phase, the Congress recovered to a great extent in the second phase; and this might lead to a hung assembly situation.
