Why did Haryana CM Manoharlal Khattar make a sudden and surprise visit to Vizag? What's behind his meeting with Swami Swaroopananda of Vizag Sarada Peetham? This is the hot topic of discussion in the political circles of Andhra Pradesh in particular and the Telugu speaking states in general.
Those in the know say that the real reason behind the visit of Manoharlal Khattar is to seek the support of the ruling YSRCP to BJP's candidate in the upcoming presidential election. The term of the present President, Ramnath Kovind, will expire by June-end. The elections will be held in July. The BJP wants Jagan's support for the presidential election, which is going to be quite prestigious and important.
In the last presidential election, the BJP and the NDA had enough numbers and its candidate, Kovind, had won with as many as 65.65 per cent votes. The Congress Party, which had put up former speaker Meira Kumar, could win around 34 per cent votes only. However, the situation is somewhat different this time. The NDA has 49.8 per cent votes, which is less than the 50 per cent mark.
Hence, the BjP is mustering the support of regional parties such as the Biju Janata Dal and the YSRCP to get the remaining votes. It is here that the YSRCP becomes quite important. The party has 123 MLAs and 22 Lok Sabha MPs. It also has got the majority in the Rajya Sabha. By the end of this month, the party's strength is likely to increase further. As a result, the BJP needs the support of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his YSRCP.
Sources say Khattar has put forth several proposals before the YSRCP through the Sarada Peetham seer. Given the influence that the seer has on YS Jagan, the party is planning to influence YS Jagan through him. Sources say that Jagan could put some conditions to cast his lot with the BJP in the presidential elections.
Those in the know say that the real reason behind the visit of Manoharlal Khattar is to seek the support of the ruling YSRCP to BJP's candidate in the upcoming presidential election. The term of the present President, Ramnath Kovind, will expire by June-end. The elections will be held in July. The BJP wants Jagan's support for the presidential election, which is going to be quite prestigious and important.
In the last presidential election, the BJP and the NDA had enough numbers and its candidate, Kovind, had won with as many as 65.65 per cent votes. The Congress Party, which had put up former speaker Meira Kumar, could win around 34 per cent votes only. However, the situation is somewhat different this time. The NDA has 49.8 per cent votes, which is less than the 50 per cent mark.
Hence, the BjP is mustering the support of regional parties such as the Biju Janata Dal and the YSRCP to get the remaining votes. It is here that the YSRCP becomes quite important. The party has 123 MLAs and 22 Lok Sabha MPs. It also has got the majority in the Rajya Sabha. By the end of this month, the party's strength is likely to increase further. As a result, the BJP needs the support of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his YSRCP.
Sources say Khattar has put forth several proposals before the YSRCP through the Sarada Peetham seer. Given the influence that the seer has on YS Jagan, the party is planning to influence YS Jagan through him. Sources say that Jagan could put some conditions to cast his lot with the BJP in the presidential elections.