One of the biggest takeaways from the Lok Sabha election results on Tuesday was how TDP and its supremo N Chandrababu Naidu emerged as the King and Kingmakers from relative obscurity. Just months ago, Naidu was in jail after being charged with corruption in the Skill Development Corporation scam, and his party was written off after the drubbing it received in the 2019 Assembly elections - it won a mere 23 seats out of 173 seats.
However, the tables have turned and Naidu is being actively courted today by both the NDA and the INDIA bloc. As the mandate became clear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself rang up Naidu to congratulate him for the performance.
Modi also took to X to thank Naidu. Naidu returned the praise, congratulating Modi over the NDA's 'victory in the Lok Sabha polls and in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections.' The TDP fought the elections with Pawan Kalyan's Janasena and BJP.
"On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I congratulate you on the NDA's victory in the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections. Our people of Andhra Pradesh have blessed us with a remarkable mandate," said Naidu in a post on X.
He added that the mandate is a reflection of the trust reposed on the NDA and its vision for the state. "Together with our people, we shall rebuild Andhra Pradesh and restore its glory," he added.
According to sources, Naidu and JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will attend Wednesday's NDA meeting where top leaders of the BJP and its other allies are also expected to be present.
Naidu is all set to become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, as he pledged after the YSRC leaders humiliated his family members on the floor of the House.
As for the million-dollar question on whether Naidu will switch sides, reports say that is unlikely. Despite Sharad Pawar's contacting Naidu seeking his support, he may not want to take the offer as he would rather not go against the mandate. The TDP wooed the voters in an alliance with the BJP.
The lack of a support base for Congress in Andhra could also force Naidu to stick with the NDA.