* Known for his technology-driven governance, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu says animal fat was added to the laddoos distributed at the Tirupati temple during the government of his arch-rival YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
* Almost eight months after the consecration of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising him for the construction of the temple. Nitish also highlighted his government’s plan to develop Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi which is revered as the birthplace of Sita.
Although these moves by the two most important allies of the BJP are considered to be growing with their alliance with the BJP, a section of the ruling party sees this as an attempt by its allies to “keep their Hindu support base intact” and to stop it from “existing. elected by the BJP.”
Sources in Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said that while the Tirupati conflict is largely focused on Jagan Mohan Reddy, “the long-term benefit will be to preserve our Hindu support base”.
“Naidu is a strategic approach to Jagan’s corner. He not only brought up the laddoo issue, he built on it by saying that Jagan does not give us a promise to enter the temple (Jagan is a Christian, and non-Hindus are required to sign an agreement before entering the temple). Lord Venkateshwara in Tirupati is not a Hindutva icon, he is Hindu, universal. Therefore, Naidu wants to make sure that the return of Jagan is prevented and, in the process, he gets the favor of the devotees,” said a senior BJP leader. He believes that it will also fulfill the request of the Hindu Right to return the temples to the control of the government.
He added, “When you put this issue in Jagan’s corner, even those in the BJP who have maintained cordial relations with the YSRCP leader cannot do anything but do it. So, Naidu has made a smart move here.”
The TDP leader said that while he saw no “political motive” and that Naidu was only trying to “cleanse the system” in view of the “corruption” in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board under the Jagan government, “it is true that leaving will have political advantages and benefits”. It does not add to its support of the Hindus as it enjoys significant public support. However, we must see that we do not lose them.”
Another TDP MP said that the Hindu support for the act was a “product”. TDP MP Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, a former YSR Congress Party MP from Jagan who is known for his Hindu cause, told The Indian Express that questions would “rise” about the Tirupati run. “The CM himself, as he is devoted to Balaji, has taken the right decision. It will not only reassure the Hindus of Andhra Pradesh but also all over the world.
Then there is the Pawan Kalyan factor. For Naidu and the TDP, this confirms that their ally, the Deputy CM and leader of the JanaSena Party (JSP), who enjoys strong ties with the BJP is not emerging as a loyal face for Hindus, BJP insiders said.
When the laddoo controversy broke out, Kalyan, an actor-turned-politician, called for the formation of a “Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board” to look into all issues connected to temples, including “pollution”, secular issues, and “other harmful practices.”.
Kalyan said he was deeply hurt by the “dirty” of the laddoos and declared an 11-day “Prayaschitta Diksha (ritual payment)” at the Dasavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Guntur. On Tuesday, the Deputy CM bathed the steps of the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada. In 2020, Kalyan and BJP leaders issued a joint call for fasting under the name “Dharma Parirakshan Deeksha (Penance to protect Hindu Dharma)” after alleged attacks on Hindu temples in the state.
TDP leaders said they were also watching Kalyan’s efforts to “emulate NTR (former Andhra CM and TDP founder NT Rama Rao)”, another successful send-up from the world of cinema to politics. The JSP leader was recently seen wearing saffron, cradling a stole around his neck like NTR used to do.
State BJP sources admitted that while the party has failed to build a strong base or top leadership in the state, Kalyan enjoys “more confidence and rapport” with its central leadership and supports “ideologies that represent the BJP”.
“Many in the team see him as someone who is loyal to the fans of the team. Top leaders, including Narendra Modi, have never hidden their love and appreciation for him,” said the BJP leader, pointing out that at the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after the Lok Sabha polls, the Prime Minister said while talking about voting. The JSP leader: “Pawan nahi, aandhi hain (he is not wind, he is storm)”.
What is Nitish doing?
In Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s praise of Modi for the Ram Temple and the need for a direct train link between Sitamarhi and Ayodhya has caused panic in sections of the state’s BJP.
BJP leaders feel that Kumar, whose party made unexpected gains in the Lok Sabha elections, may be trying to make a dent in their vote bank. “Nitish Kumar has never said such words in the past. For the past eight months, although he is an ally, he has been quiet. “Since he is recommending the construction of Ram Temple, the party should look closely at what he is doing,” said one of such leaders.
The JD(U)’s emphasis on Sita is in contrast to the “Ram-centric” politics of the BJP. “It may look like JD (U) is in a way agreeing with BJP’s politics but Nitish Kumar was looking at the development of the Ramayana cycle and tourism in the state. Sita symbolizes the empowerment of women, a region that the CM has been promoting for some time,” he said.
– With comments from Santosh Singh in Patna