23 Sentiment vs Why Not 175

The MLC elections in Andhra Pradesh turned out to be a bad dream for the ruling YCP. Even before getting out of the humiliation faced in the Graduate MLC elections, YCP received a rude shock in the form of MLA quota MLC elections.

Totally four YCP MLAs indulged in cross-voting resulting in the defeat of Kola Guruvulu. TDP’s Panchamuri Anuradha secured a sensational win and this has invited a dialogue war between the YCP and the main opposition. Not stopping here, the TDP up-ed its counter against the YCP.

Before the MLC elections, YCP and AP CM YS Jagan Reddy were extremely confident of sweeping all the 175 Assembly constituencies and 25 Lok Sabha segments in the 2024 elections. ‘Why Not 175’ was the slogan the YCP chief called for. Jagan’s confidence reached a new level that he vowed to defeat TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu from his Kuppam constituency.

Though TDP countered YCP’s 175 whitewash confidence, it waited for a right opportunity and in the Graduate, Local authorities and MLA quota MLC elections, TDP showed who is the boss. Now Telugu Desam is claiming that it would sweep 175 Assembly constituencies including CM Jagan’s stronghold Pulivendula. With TDP’s counter attack, the YCP fell in defence.

This MLC election gave birth to ‘23’ sentiment for the TDP. In 2019, TDP had won 23 MLAs but four MLAs defected the party yet in the MLC polls, Anuradha secured 23 votes and this happened on March 23rd, 2023. This ‘23’ sentiment is turning out to be a luck factor for Telugu Desam.

On the other hand, YCP is mocking this sentiment. “Chandrababu might be celebrating the victory of Panchamuri Anuradha but the strength of TDP will never cross 23 now and in near future. In the 2024 elections, TDP will be confined to 23 MLAs,” said YCP leaders. TDP was quick to react to this counter and added that in the coming days, YS Jagan will be restricted to his Tadepalli palace and TDP will defeat him in Pulivendula.

This ‘23’ sentiment versus Why Not 175, will be heard for many more days to come!