Double Trouble TDP Chief and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu has embarked on a bus yatra across the state to revive his party’s fortunes and to challenge the ruling YSR Congress Party’s (YSRCP) misgovernance. The bus yatra, which started last week, is expected to cover all the 175 assembly constituencies in the state in 100 days. Naidu has named his yatra as “Praja Parivartana Yatra”, with an aim to usher in a change in people’s mindset and project a growth-oriented approach for the state’s future.
The main objectives of Naidu’s bus yatra are to expose the alleged failures. And corruption of the YSRCP government led by CM, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, Double Trouble to highlight the achievements and welfare schemes of the previous TDP government. This, he and the TDP believes, will mobilize public support for his party, and to prepare for the next assembly elections due in May 2024. Naidu has also vowed to fight for the special category status for AP, which was promised by the central government during the bifurcation of the state in 2014 but has not been granted yet.
Double whammy for YSRCP?
Naidu’s bus yatra is seen as a crucial political move to regain his lost ground in AP politics. In the 2019 assembly elections, his party suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the YSRCP, which won 151 out of 175 seats, while the TDP could manage only 23 seats. Since then, Naidu has faced several challenges, such as defections of his party MLAs to the YSRCP, allegations from YSRCP on capital lands, and cases filed against him by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) along with violence and alleged killing of his cadre by the YSRCP.
However, Naidu has also tried to capitalize on some of the issues that have created. Discontent among the people against the YSRCP government, such as the shifting. Of the state capital from Amaravati to three cities, the cancellation of several projects and contracts signed. By the previous TDP government, the mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic. And vaccination drive, and the rising unemployment and inflation in the state.
Additionally, Naidu’s son and TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh. Too is touring the state as part of his Padayatra called Yuva Galam. And, on the other hand, Naidu’s bus yatra has received good response from the public and the political observers. People have welcomed his initiative as a sign of his resilience and determination. To revive his party and to provide an alternative to the people. This is currently serving as a double whammy for the YSRCP. Which is noticing a rise in anti-incumbency against the government.
Vote-splitting or alliance?
Naidu’s bus yatra is likely to have a significant impact on AP politics in the coming days. It may help him to consolidate his core vote base of backward classes, minorities, and urban voters. It may also help him to attract some of the disgruntled voters who are unhappy with the YSRCP government. Depending on the TDP’s decision to form pre or post-election alliances, the party may still face stiff competition. From the YSRCP while the BJP and Jana Sena Party too may continue.To contribute to TDP’s vote-splitting in the state.
