The extensive support garnered by TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu from the tech community and settlers in Hyderabad and Telangana. Following his arrest in the Skill Development case has prompted a strategic reevaluation by various political parties in Telangana. Notably, there remains a strong base of TDP loyalists in border districts like Khammam and Nalgonda, and they have been actively demonstrating their support for Naidu, through rallies and protests, from the time of his arrest to his release on interim bail.
The massive rallies and candlelight protests held in Hyderabad and even abroad have piqued the interest of other political parties, who are now keen to tap into the sympathy wave surrounding Naidu in Telangana. Given the T-TDP’s decision to abstain from the 2023 polls, the race is on to win over the sympathy votes from his supporters.
Some leaders from parties like BRS, including Motkupalli Narasimhulu and Talasani Srinivas Yadav, have publicly criticized Naidu’s arrest and the YCP government’s alleged framing of false cases against him. Initially, the BRS government expressed objections to these protests, suggesting they should be held in Andhra Pradesh instead of Telangana.
However, it appears they have softened their stance, possibly with an eye on capturing TDP’s sympathy vote. The Congress party has also joined in, with senior leaders like Madhu Yashki Goud and V Hanumantha Rao condemning Naidu’s arrest and the YCP government’s actions. This is seen as an attempt to secure T-TDP sympathy votes. In this evolving political situation, it remains to be seen how these maneuvers will impact the political dynamics once elections are held in Telangana. Interestingly, the BJP is not actively competing for T-TDP sympathy votes in this scenario.