Jagan hopes for a govt at Centre ‘that will rely on us for support’, not have absolute majority

AMID TALK of a possible alliance between the BJP and its rival TDP ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, which are held simultaneously in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that he wishes that no party comes to power with an absolute majority in the next Lok Sabha elections, as that left the state with little bargaining power.

“I wish any party that comes to power will rely on the YSRCP for support. If there is a government that is favourable to us, then we can bargain for special category status,’’ Jagan said, while replying to a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address in the Assembly on Tuesday evening.

He also spoke about reduction in devolution of funds from the Centre, an issue on which other states in the South have been raising the heat. The Congress-led Karnataka government and LDF-led Kerala ministry are holding protests in Delhi over the issue, and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin has extended his support to them.

The BJP and TDP are seen inching towards an alliance which the TDP has long been keen on, with their common friend Jana Sena Party acting as the go-between. On Wednesday, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who is facing four cases and is out on bail, was scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

The BJP has been holding out on finalising the tie-up, reportedly because it is weighing the merits and demerits of aligning with the TDP as compared to the YSRCP. Jagan has consciously maintained “friendly” relations with the Modi government through its tenure.

The YSRCP CM has been talking of a repeat landslide, and pushing party leaders and cadre as he targets all 175 Assembly seats.

Expressing frustration at Andhra not getting the special status, which