The recent move by Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu to induct a Muslim Minister in cabinet rank in his cabinet specifically just months before state and parliamentary elections is clearly meant to appease the Muslim minority. He is emboldened after snapping ties with the BJP to go to undue and unbecoming heights to get back his so-called secular image that goes without saying in Indian politics: placating minorities.
In all southern states, Hindus are losing population share because of their strict adherence to family planning. The other reason being, Christianization or proselytizing is no-holds-barred in Andhra. It appears that every alternate person in that place is a convert although possess a Hindu name outwardly.
The carriers of names like Shiv Parvathy, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Ganesh, Shunmukh etc. are also of dubious distinction of having another baptized name with the Church. They’re all crypto-Christians who for want of reservations and other benefits didn’t change their names.
Chandrababu wooed them enough by funding out money for building Christian-Bhavans and Churches throughout the state. He offers doles on the eve of every Christmas in the form of kits. Though there is a fierce competitor like YS Jaganmohan Reddy himself a Christian, Naidu could make in roads into that sizable community.
Now Babu is concentrating on Muslims of Andhra (that are 17%) which the big brother Owaisi of Hyderabad didn’t like. So, he started supporting Naidu’ s opponent in the state YS Jaganmohan Reddy. The simple reason for that is both Owaisi’s and YS Jagan party gel with each other as both are minority dominated parties. They are like cousins. And another reason being, Owaisi said he is personally a good friend of YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Here also the above equation may apply.
Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSRCP already has a good image among Muslim minorities. The party is saying that they don’t need Owaisi’s support or propaganda. Yet Owaisi is hell-bent on giving support. Why? Because Owaisi wants a decisive victory for YSRCP. Owaisi’s campaign definitely helps in Andhra Pradesh for YSRCP.
In the entire game, where is BJP? It cannot join hands with YSRCP as the party (YSRCP) is wedded to the cause of special category status to Andhra Pradesh and it will not budge on that.
If BJP wins resounding victory in 2019 parliamentary elections, it’s good. In case BJP falls short of majority, neither the TRS of Telangana nor the YSRCP of Andhra Pradesh could come to its rescue from the southern states to join for a coalition, as both are puppets in the hands of Owaisi. Of course, the parties have their independence which is somewhat compromised to their votes banks.
Last time round TRS was friendly with BJP/NDA government (without confronting much with the Centre) to get free flow of funds and other perks from it, to smoothly run the state government (though not being in coalition). It maintained friendship with MIM of Owaisi at state level as Telangana is a densely Muslim populated state. TRS played its cards well to that extent.
This time in 2019, if at all BJP needs TRS and YSRCP as coalition partners, they (both parties) come with a high-price tag. TRS demands to ratify its 12% reservations to Muslims by including it into the ninth schedule of the Constitution. The party TRS is carrying it (12% Muslim reservations) like an iron rod at the back of its neck. Similarly, the YSRCP demands for ratifying Dalit-Christian reservations, again an amendment to the Constitution. The weakening of BJP causes havoc to nation. Congress has no qualms in agreeing to all.
Hence, the BJP should focus on Andhra Pradesh for containing proselytizing activities by entrusting the work to Swami Paripoornanda who has got enough acumen to do that. Similarly, it has to focus on other developmental issues where Naidu failed to deliver. It should also appraise people through vigorous campaigning what “special package” to the state of Andhra Pradesh meant, and in what ways it surpasses the “ special category status” the other parties are vouching for on obtaining. It should gear the party machinery from now on.
