Early trends in the Lok Sabha election results indicate a significant turn of events as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), appears poised to cross the majority mark. With the TDP leading in 14 Lok Sabha seats, Naidu is set to emerge as a key figure at the national level, potentially becoming the kingmaker.
The TDP’s strong performance in both the Andhra Pradesh assembly and Lok Sabha polls, as part of the NDA, has contributed significantly to the alliance’s success. Contesting 17 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the TDP has garnered widespread support, bolstering the NDA’s position.
In the Andhra Pradesh state assembly elections, the TDP is leading in 99 seats, with its ally Jana Sena leading in 15 seats and the BJP in five, collectively totaling 119 seats for the NDA. Meanwhile, the YSR Congress party, led by Jagan Reddy, is facing a total decimation, currently projected to win only 15 seats.
Naidu’s political journey has seen ups and downs, from being part of the NDA government between 2014 and 2019 to briefly aligning with the UPA alliance before rejoining the NDA just ahead of the 2024 national elections. His resurgence comes after a five-year hiatus following his arrest by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s administration on corruption charges in 2023.
Analysts attribute Naidu’s comeback to a combination of factors, including public sympathy following his arrest, and allegations of misgovernance and corruption against YSRCP MLAs, which worked in favor of the TDP.
As the final results unfold, Chandrababu Naidu’s return to the forefront of Andhra Pradesh politics marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
