Behind TDP's waqf bill stand is plan to dent Jagan Mohan Reddy's stronghold

Behind TDP's nuanced stand on the waqf bill is a well-crafted strategy to woo Muslim voters and make inroads in Rayalaseema - YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy's stronghold.

While TDP voted in favour of the bill, it proposed that the appointment of non-Muslims in state waqf boards be left to state governments. The decision to take this stance and propose this change through rules was taken after Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu held consultations with legal experts and Muslim groups. The party has its eye firmly on the Muslim electorate that comprises about 9.5% of the state's population. However, it is more concentrated in Rayalaseema's four districts of Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur and Chittoor. In certain constituencies of the four districts, Muslims constitute about 30-40% of the electorate.

In 2019 assembly polls, Jagan's YSRCP had won 49 of the 52 seats. TDP, which swept last year's polls, won 49 of the 52 segments. As per sources, the party is planning to hold its annual conclave 'Mahanadu' in Jagan's constituency Kadapa next month.

This is the reason why right before the consideration of the bill in Lok Sabha, TDP followed a careful strategy. What irked Naidu was the fact that even before he took a formal stance, spokespersons assured TDP's support. Naidu's son Nara Lokesh stepped in and at 3.30 pm the party put a gag order. Final consultations began and Naidu spelt out this stand. By midnight, MPs were briefed but the gag order stayed in place. The directive was that the party should not be seen to oppose the government it is a key ally of but at the same time should effectively assure the Muslim voters.