Andhra: BJP looks to cash in on Pavan Kalyan, Nagarjuna's support

Hyderabad: Seeking to translate support announced by Telugu stars Pavan Kalyan and Nagarjuna to its PM nominee Narendra Modi into building goodwill for the party in Seemandhra post division of Andhra Pradesh, the BJP is going all out to woo voters in the region on the development plank. On top of it, possible alliance with Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP is expected to further boost the electoral prospects of the saffron party, which was largely a small player in previous elections in Seemandhra (coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema), dominated by the Congress and TDP. The coming elections in the region are widely seen as a direct fight between the TDP and YSR Congress, with Congress projected to be routed for its strident support for the creation of separate Telangana state. [caption id=“attachment_1451617” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Nagarjuna recently met Narendra Modi. AFP.[/caption] “The issue of alliances (with TDP) is likely to be clear in another two-three days,” Seemandhra BJP Chief K Haribabu told PTI in an interview. The party has earned public goodwill though it consistently supported formation of separate Telangana, by insisting on the UPA government to provide a comprehensive development package for residuary state. The determined bid of M Venkaiah Naidu, who belongs to Coastal Andhra, in Rajya Sabha for obtaining assurances from the Prime Minister for development of Seemandhra, has not gone unnoticed in the region, which has 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats and would go to polls simultaneously on May 7. “There is a lot of goodwill for BJP in the name of Modiji. The people of Seemandhra feel that it is BJP which can implement the assurances given to the region. People do not have confidence in Congress,” Haribabu said. In a huge boost to BJP in Seemandhra, top Telugu hero Pavan Kalyan, who recently launched Jana Sena Party, recently met Modi in Ahmedabad and announced his support to the Gujarat CM’s PM bid. He was followed by Telugu superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni, though not in active politics, who met Modi on March 24 and hailed the BJP stalwart. Acknowledging that there is a “feel good” factor following these developments, Haribabu, however, said his party has to work hard to put up a good show in the elections. PTI