The big Indian election starts on Thursday, 11 April, with 91constituencies across 20 states and union territories going to polls to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha. Among the biggest battles to watch out for in the first phase of polling are those in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
In 2014, this was one state which was bifurcated later to form Telangana. Both Andhra and Telangana between them have 42 seats which makes it a key block of votes and there are three political players fighting for these seats: K Chandrashekar Rao, Jagan Mohan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu.
Now the leaders who corner the largest share of these seats could hope to play a key role in the next government if no party gets an absolute majority.
In conversation with Bloomberg Quint’s Tamanna Inamdar, Associate Professor, University of Hyderabad, E Venkatesh said, at the national level there is a possibility of coalition government and thus the regional parties are very important.
Why Are Regional Parties Important?
E Venkatesh said, “In both the states, Chandrababu Naidu wanted to float a regional alliance at national level and KCR in Telangana has floated a federal front. They are putting efforts to bring together the regional parties.”
He added that these 42 seats (25 in AP and 17 in Telangana) matter a lot in a coalition era as “2019 onwards again there is a possibility of BJP’s decline”.
Referring to the TDP-BJP alliance Venkatesh said that the alliance broke due to several reasons but one of the reasons was the unfulfilled promise of granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh.
Key Issues in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh?
Hyderabad Bureau Chief of The News Minute, Nitin B spoke about the key issues in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He spoke about lack of employment opportunities, neglect and special category status as the primary issues for Andhra Pradesh.
However, speaking of Telangana, Nitin spoke about farm distress and spoke about their demand of a Turmeric Board at the Centre.
Telangana is a top turmeric producer in the country and the farmers and have been demanding a Turmeric Board at the Centre to focus on its promotion.
“However the narrative is a little different because the Assembly elections are already over and KCR has been building a narrative around a federal front. He has been appealing the voters to ditch the BJP and Congress saying a consortium of regional parties will come to power at the centre after the elections,” Nitin added.
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