Naidu’s Roll of the Laddoo, Nitish’s Temple Play: Allies’ Moves in BJP’s Shadow
In recent political moves, both Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appear to be working to consolidate their Hindu vote base amidst the looming influence of the BJP. Naidu, in an effort to differentiate himself from his rival Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accused the previous state government of adding animal fat to the laddoos distributed at the Tirupati temple, a statement aimed at consolidating religious sentiments.
Nitish Kumar, on the other hand, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Ayodhya Ram Temple’s construction, months after its consecration. At the same time, Nitish highlighted his own efforts to develop Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi, a site associated with Sita’s birthplace. His approach seems focused on linking his government’s development plans to Hindu religious sites, strengthening his appeal to the Hindu electorate.
Both leaders, it seems, are making strategic moves to keep their Hindu support base intact, especially given BJP’s growing dominance in appealing to the same voter segment. The presence of Pawan Kalyan, a potential BJP ally who has been positioning himself as a Hindu leader, adds another dimension to Naidu’s challenge in Andhra Pradesh.