Decode Politics: As TDP returns to NDA, what Chandrababu Naidu, BJP gain by reviving alliance

Almost six years after it walked out of the NDA after the BJP government did not grant Andhra Pradesh special category status (SCS), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Saturday returned to the BJP-led alliance.

The return of Chandrababu Naidu, whose party is already in alliance with actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP) in Andhra Pradesh, is expected to boost the TDP’s chances in the coming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections that will be held simultaneously. The seat-sharing details are expected to be announced in a few days.

Last November, sensing his party and political career may go into oblivion, the 73-year-old Naidu at a rally made an emotional appeal to voters. “This (2024) will be my last election if the TDP is not elected to power,” he told his supporters.

Thank you, <a href=«https://twitter.com/AmitShah?ref_src=» https: class="" rel=«nofollow, noopener» target="_blank">@AmitShah

Ji. Andhra Pradesh has tremendous potential. The development of my State will ultimately contribute to our country's growth story. With people's blessings, we shall herald a new era of prosperity under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister <a href=«https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=» https: class="" rel=«nofollow, noopener» target="_blank">@narendramodi… https://t.co/s7kcFbMhDP

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) <a href=«https://twitter.com/ncbn/status/1766486772685373721?ref_src=» https: class="" rel=«nofollow, noopener» target="_blank">March 9, 2024

The TDP supremo’s appeal came amid reports that the TDP-JSP combine may not be able to dislodge the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) despite the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led outfit replacing incumbents with “winnable candidates” to tackle the anti-incumbency against its