TDP revolt exposes BJP’s poor coalition management

It is an opportunity for the ruling party to reflect on its relations with allies

Turbulence building over the Centre’s refusal to give Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh is now threatening the cohesion of the NDA. The SCS demand is a politically sensitive issue that has its roots in the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh in 2014. In lieu of accepting the bifurcation plan and to compensate for revenue losses, primarily due to Hyderabad becoming the capital of the new state, Telangana, Andhra was promised SCS. However, the 14th Finance Commission recommended that the category be removed in 2015, which the Centre accepted. The Centre has promised to compensate Andhra through other instruments, but the state political leadership’s focus on SCS has been projected as a matter of regional pride. Any compromise by the government, therefore, is likely to be painted as capitulation by the Opposition. The Centre may have erred in not recognising how much the political leadership in Andhra was invested in SCS and allowing its ministers to portray the demand as emotional and sentimental.

The disquiet in the TDP should also serve as a warning bell to the BJP. The Shiv Sena, the Akali Dal and smaller parties in Bihar have for long been complaining that the BJP ignores and relegates its allies. The estrangement of important allies as the government enters the last lap of its term must worry the BJP. In this context, the TDP revolt could be an opportunity for the BJP to reflect on its ties with allies.