New Delhi: The enemy of your enemy is your friend; this ancient proverb cannot have more relevance than in Politics. Standing tall on its words, N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) not only walked out of the coalition and withdrew support from NDA government but also moved a no-confidence motion against the government. Surprisingly they are pushing this no-confidence motion together with their arch rival YSR Congress.
The move came after the Centre’s refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh, following the resignation of two of the TDP’s ministers — P Ashok Gajapati Raju and YS Chowdary — from the Union Cabinet on March 8. The writing was on the wall, for those following Andhra politics closely. More so after October 2015, when for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Amaravati, Modi brought water from the Yamuna and soil from Parliament. The TDP was disappointed because while the gesture seemed nice, it was keener on a gift cheque for the state capital.
The motion has received an overwhelming support from the opposition. Some of them were CPI (M), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Trinamool Congress (TMC). Even Congress which does not have one good reason to support YSR and TDP was one of the first parties to extend its support. It is clear that Congress will not leave any chance of sharpening pro and anti- NDA fault lines and testing the ruling alliance’s cohesion.
The NDA government, which has the majority in the Lok Sabha even after the TDP’s exit, seemed keen to face the no-confidence motion next week. Voting on a no-confidence motion is preceded by a debate.
While the Opposition will look at the debate in the Lok Sabha, if it indeed takes place, as a forum to embarrass the BJP and a rehearsal of sorts for a united opposition, the BJP too will look at the glass half full. This will make the contest in 2019 presidential and help the BJP taunt the shabby opposition as a group of several prime ministerial hopefuls.
