AP, Bihar and NDA: The fun is about to begin

When Narendra Modi came for the swearing-in ceremony of Chandrababu Naidu, the bonhomie on display as he hugged Naidu, Pawan Kalyan and Chiranjeevi was reminiscent of the scene of the reunion of the brothers from the film ‘Yaadon Ki Baarat’.

But, as Parliament starts next week, the real challenge begins for both NDA and TDP and JD (U). 

Clearly, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are two States that could definitely do with assistance from the Centre. In the past, the BJP was indifferent to the demands from these two States as it had an absolute majority. 

But now, the BJP will fall if these two partners withdraw their support.

The real problem lies here: Modi and Shah are used to having things done their own way and do not usually like being dictated to. Call it ‘persuasion’ or ‘blackmail’, allies usually have their say in coalition politics and to date, Modi-Shah have displayed no signs of willingness to retract on any of their decisions except the ‘farm laws’.

Once Naidu and Nitish Kumar begin to put forth their demands, how compatible will the BJP, be? 

Both Naidu and Nitish will lose face in their respective States if they fail to extract significant benefits from the Centre, given the commanding position they are in now.

Modi-Shah can probably negotiate the coalition with support from the RSS leadership, but that is an altogether ‘different affair’.