Notwithstanding the frequent rancorous conflicts between state level BJP leaders and the ruling parties in the Telugu states, the BJP national leadership seems to be interested in having smooth ties with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the YSR Congress Party, going by certain key developments at the Centre.
The recent reorganization of the parliamentary standing committees is one such indication. TRS and YSR Congress MPs have been appointed as chairman of crucial parliamentary standing committees.
At the Centre, the parliamentary standing committees are very powerful. Usually the Centre appoints MPs of opposition parties to the parliamentary standing committees that are not of much importance, while key positions go to ruling party MPs or MPs of friendly parties.
In the recent reorganization of parliamentary standing committees, TRS secretary-general and parliamentary party leader K Keshava Rao was appointed as a chairman of the standing committee on industries. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s aide, and the man believed to be the mediator between state and central government, V Vijayasai Reddy, was appointed as chairman of the standing committee on Commerce.
It may be recalled that Vijayasai Reddy is one of the top auditors. Recognising his caliber, the central government has appointed him as chairman of the crucial parliamentary standing committee on commerce. BJP Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh TG Venkatesh, who had switched from the Telugu Desam Party, has been appointed as the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and cultural affairs.
Around June next year elections will be held for the post of President of India. Post 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has lost power in several states in the Assembly elections, while in some other states, the strengths of its MLAs have reduced.
The President of India is elected by the Members of an Electoral College consisting of (a) the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and (b) the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States. In Telugu states, both TRS and YSR Congress have good number of MPs and MLAs.
If the BJP could get the support of TRS and YSR Congress for the Presidential election, both these will play a key role in electing the BJP nominee as President. Keeping this in view, the BJP national leadership is trying to get close to these two parties, despite the struggle by the local leaders of the saffron party to discredit both the parties.
Moreover, in the next Lok Sabha elections also the TRS and the YSR Congress will play key role in the formation of the new government at the Centre. Should the BJP-led NDA not get the majority required to form the government at Centre, it will need the support of TRS and YSR Congress. As things stand, both TRS and YSR Congress may not support the UPA-led by Congress.
This will help BJP to get their support, if required. #KhabarLive #hydnews
