Will Muslims vote for TDP if there is alliance with BJP?

Even as its top boss is eagerly angling for an alliance with the BJP ahead of the all-important 2024 elections, the cadre of the party, especially those from the minority Muslim community segments are said to be utterly unenthusiastic towards these attempts. The dislike for the alliance is said to be more in Rayalaseema region, where the Muslim votes play a key role.

The leaders of the Muslim community in Rayalaseema are organising a spree of 'Atmeeya Sammelanams' these days and the hot topic of discussion is the possibility of alliance with the BJP. The minority community leaders have reportedly told the TDP bosses in clear terms that they cannot support an alliance with the BJP.

There are four assembly constituencies - Rayachoti, Kadapa, Kamalapuram and Proddatur – in Kadapa, seven in Kurnool – Kurnool, Srisailam, Adoni, Banaganapalle, Nandyal, Nandikotkur and Allagadda, seven in Anantapur – Anantapur, Hindupur, Tadpatr, Kadiri, Dharmavaram, Guntakal and Penugonda and two in Chittoor – Madanapalle and Punganur – that have a high concentration of Muslim votes.

In Kadapa, the Muslims form 50 percent of the voters. There are about 95000 Muslim votes in Rayachoti. Opposition to the TDP-BJP alliance is growing in all these places. The TDP leadership is in a dilemma over how to keep the Muslim votes even while joining hands with the BJP. The YSRCP is said to be watching the TDP discomfiture with glee and is said to be reaching out to the Muslim community in a big way.