TDP faces threat of erosion of cadre in T

TDP faces threat of erosion of cadre in T

V V Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 27 Jul 2010 03:08:18 AM IST
Last Updated : 27 Jul 2010 12:26:09 PM IST

HYDERABAD: Despite the oft-repeated claim by TDP chief Chandrbabu Naidu that the TDP has a strong cadre base in Telangana, the very foundation of the party is shaking in the byelections there.

With Telangana statehood being the overriding issue in the byelections, and the TDP having no clarity on it, Naidu's much-vaunted cadre base is slowly but steadily eroding in the region.

It may not come as surprise if TDP candidates forfeit their deposits in several constituencies when the ballot boxes are opened on July 30. TDP founder N T Ramarao laid a strong foundation for the party in Telangana by encouraging the backward classes. The foundation was further strengthened during the nineyear stint of Chandrababu Naidu. But with the separatist sentiment sweeping the entire region now, that foundation has shifted loyalties and TDP candidates are in danger of tasting humiliating defeats.

Chandrababu Naidu sets much store by the fact that he has been in politics for 30 years and that he knows the game. No doubt, Naidu is seasoned and wellknown for electoral calculations but for the first time in his political career, his calculations face the prospect of going wrong.

The TDP had no strong issue to go to the people with in this elections season, therefore chose the Babli issue to win the hearts of the people. The ploy may have boomeranged and the TDP may be left just clutching at straws. As Sircilla student M Rajasekhar said, "Babli is not an election issue at all.''

"Naidu should have waited till the apex court pronounced its verdict on Babli or till the Prime Minister convened an allparty meeting,'' said Ramulu, a pan vendor in Huzurabad. Though voters still admire Naidu for his administrative skills and the development witnessed during his stint, they have not been able to digest his 'twoeyed' theory on Telangana and Coastal Andhra. To them, Naidu is a past hero and present villain as far as the Telangana question is concerned. "Naidu is a good leader, but we want Telangana,'' several women voters said. Even committed TDP voters are likely to vote for the TRS this time to send a strong message to the UPA at the Centre that their hearts beat for T.

The polling percentage may come down in these byelections with hardcore Congress and TDP voters staying away from the polling booths as they know that the TRS will win anyway. On the other hand, those strongly motivated to make a point on the T question will certainly vote. As a result, the Big Two parties are likely to face defeats by huge margins.