Jagan meets PM Modi; political opportunism or courtesy call? Analysts divided

The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Assembly’s Leader of Opposition YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday has made the ruling Telugu Desam Party, an alliance partner of the BJP uncomfortable. According to a Deccan Chronicle report, Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao and Transportation Minister Atchannaidu Kinjarapu criticised Jagan Mohan Reddy for the meeting. In what seems to be an effort to project itself as a party that was moving closer to the BJP, YSRCP claimed that apart from the issue of special status for AP, they did not have any differences with the saffron party.“We will support any candidate the BJP fields as we have very less differences in opinion. Except for differences on the land acquisition bill and special status for Andhra Pradesh, we share similar opinions on various issues, which we think are pro-people,” a PTI report quoted Jagan Mohan Reddy.  “Also, the BJP has enough support for its candidate to win. Opposing their candidate and fielding another will not make sense,” the YSRCP chief added. The presidential election is to be held in July. Wednesday’s meeting came after TDP’s National General Secretary and son of Chandra Babu Naidu Nara Lokesh on May 5 announced that TDP will contest 2019 elections in alliance with the BJP. In his letter to PM Modi, the YSRCP chief blamed the ruling-TDP for several issues involving the state. Jagan wanted PM to intervene in the agri gold scam that has rocked the state and provide relief to farmers affected by the drought. He also reiterated the demand of granting AP the special status.  Reacting to the meeting between Jagan Mohan and PM Modi, senior Congress leader and Telangana General Secretary of the Indian National Congress Sravan Dasoju said this was a “politics of compromise” by YSRCP. “Ideologically they are nowhere near each other, YSRCP is more of a secular party whereas BJP Is a religion-based party. This can mean only mean two things going by how the BJP has played politics in post-Jayalalithaa Tamil Nadu. Either, Jagan Mohan is scared of investigations by central agencies or has completely surrendered its political ideologies,” Dasoju told The News Minute. Echoing views of Dasoju, political analyst Professor K Nageshwar said this is an example of political bankruptcy on part of the YSRCP. “How can he support the BJP when he himself says that the Centre has done injustice to the state. Politically speaking, the YSRCP is trying to rediscover itself and trying to be part of the combine in power in case the TDP distances itself from the BJP. Personally, Jagan Mohan might feel that being part of the NDA might shield him from ‘vindictive’ action from central agencies,” Nageshwar said. However, another political analyst, Amar Devulapalli was less critical of the YSRCP’s move. “I don’t see any problem with Jagan Mohan’s approach. He is clearly stating that he opposes BJP in two key issues- the land acquisition and Special Status issue. By saying that he will support BJP in the Presidential elections, he is closing the gates of horse-trading.” “I don’t see any political motive in this,” he added. Denying any political implications behind the meeting, the BJP’s Telangana State president Krishna Sagar told TNM, “YSRCP chief's meeting with PM Narendra Modi was a regular one, a meeting between a party president and the Prime Minister. What transpired in the meeting, is known only to the two of them.”