Hyderabad:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has invited himself to the home of his Telangana counterpart Revanth Reddy at the latter’s home. Though the two leaders go back a long way, the optics of an NDA Chief Minister meeting his Congress counterpart has set political circles buzzing. Speculation is high on what projects the two states might collaborate on — a subject hinted at in Mr Naidu’s letter to the Telangana Chief Minister.

“It has been 10 years since bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. There have been multiple discussions concerning issues arising from the Reorganization Act. which hold significant implications for the welfare and advancement of our states. It is imperative that we address these issues amicably with utmost diligence and resolve. In light of this, I propose that we meet at your place on 6′ July. Saturday afternoon,” Mr Naidu wrote to Mr Reddy.

“I firmly believe that a face-to-face meeting will provide us with the opportunity to engage comprehensively on these critical issues and collaborate effectively towards achieving mutually beneficial solutions for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. I am confident that our deliberations will lead to productive outcomes,” the letter added.

The carving out of Telangana has landed the Andhra Pradesh — and its Chief Minister — in a tricky situation, especially now, when the 10-year time for sharing Hyderabad as a joint capital comes to an end.

Andhra Pradesh is yet to build a state capital. Mr Naidu’s Amaravati project has been at a standstill for the last five years after former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy cut the supply lines.

More importantly, the wipeout of K Chandrasekhar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Telangana has provided an opening to Mr Naidu to expand his foothold in the neighbouring state. For the TDP chief, who has been fighting for a decade to expand in the new state carved out of Andhra Pradesh, this is too big an opportunity to pass up.

For Mr Reddy, it creates a situation that should not be comfortable politically. But the two leaders are too well acquainted. Before joining Congress, Mr Reddy was part of the Telugu Desam Party and a close aide of Mr Naidu.

In the 2015 note-for-vote scam, in which Revanth Reddy went to jail, he had acted as Mr Naidu’s emissary to a nominated member of assembly to ask him to vote in favour of the TDP. Mr Reddy was caught on camera offering Rs 50 lakh to a member.  

Mr Reddy, moreover, is acquiring a reputation of making friends across party lines. In his recent week-long visit to Delhi, Mr Reddy met a number of BJP leaders, including party chief JP Nadda. When his affable treatment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and calling him “Bada bhai (elder brother) during his visit to the state in March raised eyebrows, Mr Reddy explained it saying he needed to cultivate friendly relations with all to help his state grow.

Hyderabad::

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has sparked a row with his comment today that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph was removed from the cover of the joint manifesto of arch rival Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party “after a call from Delhi”. Leaders of the NDA termed his comment an attempt to “create a rift” within the alliance. What was not explained was a video of ceremony to release the manifesto, where BJP state in-charge Siddharth Nath Singh could be seen refusing to accept a copy.

Speaking later, Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “In an earlier version of the manifesto, photos of Chandrababu Naidu were prominently displayed alongside that of PM Modi”.

“But before Mr Naidu unveiled his manifesto today, he received a call from the BJP headquarters, saying having PM Modi’s photo on it is not acceptable. This incident only serves to highlight how unattainable his promises are,” he added.

Mr Naidu, however, issued a clarification later. The NDA, he said, has a manifesto at the national level. The TDP and Jana Sena are now releasing this manifesto in consultation with the BJP. The manifesto contains the views of all the parties, he said.    

Mr Naidu had returned to the NDA earlier this year — nearly six years after he walked out protesting against the BJP’s refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh. His return was to keep at bay the ruling YSR Congress of Mr Reddy.

There is expectation that the alliance with the BJP and Pawan Kalyan would consolidate the votes of those disillusioned with the Jagan Reddy government.

Mr Naidu has said at a rally that this year will be his last election if the Telugu Desam Party is not voted to power.

The TDP which won 15 of the state’s 25 seats, was down to three in 2019 after its exit from the NDA.

Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh):

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu promised to provide Rs 1500 per month to every woman, three free gas cylinders every year, and free bus travel for women in state-run RTC buses.

“We will provide Rs 15,000 annually to every school-going student through ‘Thalliki Vandhanam’. Every woman will receive Rs 1500 per month through ‘Aadabidda Nidhi’. Under the ‘Deepam Scheme’, three free gas cylinders will be distributed per year and free travel in RTC buses will be facilitated for women,” Mr Naidu said addressing a public meeting at Haryana’s Kurnool.

On his strong push for women in the state, the Telegu Desam chief said, “I am committed not only to the progress of the state but also to ensuring the security and future of women.”

Earlier on Saturday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised TDP’s election promises, saying that since implementing these promises is beyond the capacity of the state’s exchequer, they are just to hoodwink the voters to come to power.

“Chandrababu Naidu is returning with Super Six and Super Ten to betray the public once again. TDP’s Super Six costs Rs 1,21,619 crores annually,” Jagan told reporters, adding that these costs to implement TDP’s poll promises are beyond the capacity of the exchequer.

Ahead of the Assembly polls in the state, TDP promised, “A new vision for Andhra Pradesh with Super Six guarantees.”The Super Six guarantees include creation of 20 lakh jobs for the youth, monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 if TDP comes to power.

In Andhra Pradesh, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place simultaneously on May 13. The counting of the votes for both election will take place on June 4.

The principal opposition party TDP will take on the ruling YSRCP with an alliance with the Jana Sena Party and the BJP.

Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha seats. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the YSRCP won with a thumping majority of 151 seats, while the TDP was confined to 23 seats. In the Lok Sabha polls, the YSRCP won 22 seats, while the TDP could only win three seats.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday launched a scathing attack against Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan and compared them to “frogs”.

“Just like frogs in a pond during the rains, with elections around the corner, non-local leaders like Chandrababu and Pawan Kalyan are coming to seek votes by deceiving people with fraudulent promises,” he said.

He further lashed out saying, “Once the elections get over, the non-local leaders will leave for Hyderabad. This is the attachment of these non-local leaders to the people of Andhra Pradesh.”

He further said that these kitty party non-local leaders are like the New East India Company members. “I want to remind all that they will loot everything in the state and they would share the loot amongst themselves,” he added.

Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Reddy released the YSR Congress Party’s (YSRCP) poll manifesto at the Tadepalli camp office in Vijayawada.

Making slight changes to the assurances made in the 2019 manifesto under Navaratnalu, the YSRCP chief released the manifesto as Navaratnalu Plus.

Jagan Mohan Reddy has promised to gradually hike welfare pensions from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 per month and govern the state from Visakhapatnam.

Notably, during the 2019 elections, YSRCP registered a landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh, winning 151 of the 175 seats in the Assembly, dethroning the TDP government.

In general elections, the YSRCP won 22 of the 25 seats with a vote share of 49.89 per cent, while the TDP could only manage three constituencies and got 40.19 per cent votes. The two national parties–the BJP and Congress–failed to open their account in the state.

However, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, YSRCP is contesting alone in all 25 parliamentary constituencies and the 175 seats of the state Assembly. It is up against the Congress-led INDIA bloc and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former CM N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Anakapalli:

YSRCP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday took potshots at his arch rival N Chandrababu Naidu, saying that it was “losing villains” who call all heroes ‘kids’.

The YSRCP chief made these remarks at a public meeting in Anakapalli town, located in the eponymous district during his ‘Memanta Siddham’ (we are all ready) election campaign bus tour.

“If I am a ‘bacha’, who are you Chandrababu? You have lost badly in the previous elections by securing only 23 seats (Assembly). If I am a child, I should ask why couldn’t you do any development for the state or its people when you were chief minister for three terms,” said Mr Reddy.

Meanwhile, the CM noted that the opposition parties are getting scared after seeing many people turning up to his election canvassing meetings and alleged that they are instigating people to hit him with stones.

Further, Mr Reddy observed that he is alone while his opposition alliance of NDA partners, BJP, TDP and Janasena, along with Congress are “supported by select regional media houses”.

Recounting several welfare measures of the YSRCP government, Mr Reddy asserted that his government has deposited Rs 2.7 lakh crore into the accounts of women beneficiaries.

On the 19th day of his bus tour, Mr Reddy traversed through Nakkapalli, Pulaparthi, Yalamanchili, Chintapalem, Kasimkota, Anakapalli and other villages. He concluded the day and reached his night halt point at Chinnayapalem.

Mr Reddy has embarked on a 21-day election campaign bus tour from Idupulupaya in Kadapa district to Icchapuram in Srikakulam district.

Elections for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled on May 13 and the counting of votes will be held on June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Pedakurapadu:

TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that Janasena, BJP and TDP joined hands to rid Andhra Pradesh of the ruling YSRCP and ensure that the anti-incumbency vote does not get divided.

Addressing a public meeting at Pedakurapadu in Palnadu district as part of his Prajagalam election canvassing tour, the former chief minister said that the NDA partners banded together for the future of Andhra Pradesh.

“Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan has already given a call to the people that they all should join hands to rid the state of this evil (YSRCP). The TDP, Janasena and the BJP joined hands keeping in view the future of all of you,” Naidu said.

He said that the state endured a “nightmarish” five-year-rule under Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Under the YSRCP government, Naidu said that a great injustice has been done to the Muslim community. The TDP leader assured the community that he will personally take responsibility for their safety.

Naidu said the TDP has been a part of the NDA previously but there was no injustice towards the Muslim community.

Calling Reddy a “power-hungry” person, Naidu alleged that there have been all kinds of loot in Andhra Pradesh, adding that sand mining has become a lucrative business.

He also claimed that had the construction of Amaravati been completed, the state would have received Rs 1 lakh crore per year in revenue, and added that Reddy has destroyed the state completely.

Asserting that he plans 20 years into the future, Naidu recalled his Vision-2020, unveiled in 2000, and said that by 2047, India will be the number one country in the world.

Elections for the 175-member assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled to be held on May 13, and the counting of votes is slated for June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Palnadu, Andhra Pradesh:

TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday exuded confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form the government in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and said that only the flags of the BJP-TDP-JSP alliance are different, not the agenda.

While addressing the people at Boppudi village, in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district, the TDP chief said, “I’m happy to see the public gathered before the stage. The NDA will form the government in the upcoming 2024 polls. For the last five years, anarchy has ruled the state. We will take care of the growth and development of the state, and we appeal to the public to vote for the TDP, BJP, Janasena alliance. PM Modi is the ‘Viswaguru’ of Bharat. Our flags are different, but our agenda is not.”

Applauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chandrababu Naidu said, “Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas was introduced by PM Modi. Even in the pandemic situation, our country supported other countries under the leadership of PM Modi. Economic growth of India has increased under the leadership of him.”

Chandrababu Naidu slammed the state government led by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and alleged that the latter had looted natural resources.

“Irrigation projects were left to the winds. Chief Minister Jagan has looted natural resources. No development has been seen in the state in the last five years. No companies have been brought to the state. Jagan’s sisters themselves appeal not to cast votes for Jagan. Nobody is safe in the state. Andhra Pradesh is in a financial crisis,” he said.

“PM Modi will secure more than 400 seats in the upcoming polls and will become a hat-trick Prime Minister. I appeal to the people of the state to elect the 25 MPs from the alliance,” the TDP chief added.

The election rally, named “Prajagalam,” marked the first NDA election public rally in Andhra Pradesh in the run-up to the simultaneous Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha polls scheduled for May 13.

Along with announcing Lok Sabha elections that will be held in seven phases beginning on April 19, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday announced the schedule of Assembly polls in four states – Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Odisha.

A total of 96.8 crore voters will be eligible to cast their vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said.

The assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh will be held on May 13. The election for Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held on the same day.

There are a total of 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The BJP, N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena have finalised seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections late this evening. The BJP will fight in six Lok Sabha and ten assembly seats, TDP will contest in 17 Lok Sabha and 144 assembly seats while Jana Sena got two Lok Sabha and 21 assembly seats. Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha and 175 assembly seats that will see a simultaneous contest.

As per sources, the BJP will fight parliamentary elections from Araku, Rajahmundry, Anakapalle, Tirupati, Narasapuram and one more seat while Jana sena from Machilipatnam and Kakinada.

The announcement came after senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, went into a huddle with Mr Naidu and Mr Kalyan on Monday to finalise candidates.

BJP chief JP Nadda announced the alliance of his party with the Telugu Desam Party and the Jana Sena on March 9. “Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP), as well as being committed to the progress of the country and the upliftment of state and people of Andhra Pradesh, have decided to contest the ensuing Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections together in Andhra Pradesh,” a joint statement released by the TDP BJP and the Jana Sena said.

The TDP, which was part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance until 2018, expressed interest in reviving the alliance after suffering a crushing defeat in the 2019 elections. Mr Naidu’s party had walked out of the NDA over financial support for Andhra Pradesh. “I took the decision not for selfish reasons but for the interests of Andhra Pradesh. For four years I made all efforts, went to Delhi 29 times, asked many times. This was the Centre’s last budget and there was no mention of Andhra Pradesh,” Mr Naidu had then explained his decision.

A joint statement issued by the parties highlighted their “old ties”. “The BJP and the TDP have a very old relationship together. The TDP joined the NDA in 1996 and has worked together successfully in governments led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi,” it said.

In 2014, the TDP and the BJP fought the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls together, while the JSP supported the two parties, it added.

Yesterday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy said that he was ready to fight against the alliance and alleged that Chandrababu Naidu’s cycle is “rusted and he is fetching support from other political parties”.

Elections for Lok Sabha are expected to be held in April-May in which the ruling BJP is eyeing a third term and has set a target of winning 370 seats on its own and 400 with allies.