Political temperatures soar in AP

YSRCP believes that a triangular fight will help it garner more number of seats. While the YSRCP ruled out the possibility of advancing the polls, TDP leaders have been claiming at the possibility of mid-term polls. Pawan Kalyan is also playing safe as he has not yet made any categorical statement on retaining alliance with the BJP or to contest jointly with the TDP

Visakhapatnam: The political atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh is hotting up with trading of charges between the ruling YSR Congress Party and the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party reaching a crescendo in the past few days.

While Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is holding constituency and district-wise meetings with party leaders to gear up the party with a mission to achieve 175/175 in 2024 elections, TDP national president N Chandrababu Naidu is hitting the streets coming down heavily against his bete noire for pursuing politics of vendetta to what he termed muzzle the voice of the Opposition leaders. Naidu's son and TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh is also contemplating taking up a State-wide padayatra.

Interestingly, during his 'Badude Badudu' programme (aimed at exposing the failures of the government), Naidu told the supporters that it was his last chance to run for Chief Minister and after next elections, he has to pass on the baton to others.

On the other hand, while reiterating commitment to form three capitals as announced earlier by sorting out legal hurdles, Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to rejuvenate party rank and file at the booth level to realise the dream of achieving a complete sweep by winning all the 175 seats. "Mission 175 is not difficult. We have done a wonderful job by fulfilling almost all the election promises. Please propagate our success by undertaking door-to-door visits," he said during a review meeting with party leaders from Visakha North Constituency at Tadepalli.

Meanwhile, at a roadshow at Adoni on Thursday, Naidu alleged that Jagan Mohan Reddy completely blocked the progress of the State. He said that the people have now realised their mistake of electing Jagan Mohan Reddy to power. "There is absolutely no progress in the State in the past three-and-half years while rowdyism and crime are on the rise," he alleged.

BJP sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Visakhapatnam was successful in convincing Jana Sena Party president and actor Pawan Kalyan not to walk out of the alliance with the saffron brigade to align with TDP.

YSRCP believes that a triangular fight will help it garner more number of seats making its job easy in retaining power in the 2024 elections. While the YSRCP ruled out the possibility of advancing the polls, TDP leaders have been claiming at the possibility of mid-term polls.

Pawan Kalyan is also playing his cards close to his chest as he has not yet made any categorical statement on retaining alliance with the BJP or to contest jointly with the TDP. With the trifurcation of capital cases expected to come up soon for hearing in the Supreme Court, many important developments are expected to unfold in the near future.