Y Satyanarayana

Speculation is rife about the likely course of action central investigating agencies such as CBI and ED would now take with regard to tainted TDP Rajya Sabha MPs Sujana Chowdary and CM Ramesh, both of whom are facing probes on various counts. Not very long ago, one of Chowdary's firms came under the scanner for a massive GST fraud of well over Rs 225 crores. Clearly, the TDP MPs' move was aimed at protecting themselves from these cases going forward which could eventually result in time behind bars, political analysts say.

The big question now is whether the BJP has covered itself with glory while admitting the four tainted TDP MPs into its fold. It appears that the wily duo of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah has been outwitted and outfoxed by TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, who it is widely believed planted Sujana Chowdary, CM Ramesh, Garikapati and TG Venkatesh in the BJP ranks.

Also Read: Chandrababu Sending Corrupt TDP MPs To BJP To Evade Arrests

What is bewildering is the haste with which the ruling party at the Centre admitted these four TDP MPs including ones who are tainted. It is clear that the moral high ground which the BJP took on defections particularly with respect to the talk of merger of the Congress with the TRS is hollow and hypocritical posturing.

This brings us back to the important question—Has BJP now kissed and made up with Chandrababu Naidu? Is it willing to let bygones be bygones considering that no one had been a more vocal critic of Narendra Modi than the TDP chief?

Is it ready to forget the fact that Chandrababu had spent close to a year trying to forge opposition unity and put up a coalition against the Modi-led BJP?

More importantly, after such a massive mandate in the Lok Sabha does the BJP really need to plumb such depths of morality?

JP Nadda, the new BJP president appears to have started on the wrong foot. In describing the TDP Rajya Sabha members as leaders with a mass base, Nadda only revealed his ignorance of AP affairs. CM Ramesh and Sujana Chowdary are contractors and businessmen with no mass base worth the name. TG Venkatesh is an industrialist and businessman and is marginally better in comparison. Then again, it is perceived that he has risen on the strength of caste-based politics deriving the advantage of his community tag. Garikipati Ramohan Rao, a businessman, whose nomination to Rajya Sabha was opposed by many in the party at that time, as was that of the other three, has nothing to write home about.

Coming back to the original question, will the ED and CBI continue their investigation into the alleged frauds and corruption indulged in by firms related to Sujana Chowdary and CM Ramesh? Actions will reveal intent in the future.

Also Read: Chandrababu Naidu Faces The Biggest Crisis Of His Political Career

Also Read: TDP Leaders Joining BJP At The Behest Of ChandrababuMPs trying to secure their future