JP’s sensational comments hint at Lok Satta & TDP alliance?

Loksatta Chief JP made a sensational comment in Vishakapatnam that the State is being ruled combinedly by ‘Italy and Idupulapaya Congress’! JP whose public speeches are mostly with words like ‘constitution’ and ‘democracy’ and never contain political attacks on parties surprised everyone with these comments. Only few days ago, during AP formation day, he seemed to have said that Congress is dividing the State to make a donkey as Prime Minister!

While it was always clear that LokSatta opposed bifurcation of State despite its public posturing, it’s explicit attack on Congress now is making news and triggering speculation that LokSatta is finding common ground with TDP which routinely does such attacks. As the elections are fast approaching and this being a do-or-die battle, it is now clear Chandrababu Naidu and JP would join forces to save the hard-earned political capital of groups and coteries that have hitherto been supporting TDP ever since its inception. Exactly how this would be done would be interesting to watch. A pre-poll alliance of TDP and LokSatta along with CPM is a possibility. TDP’s efforts with BJP didn’t seem to make much headway so this possibility seems realistic. LokSatta’s middle-class educated supporters would also like this alliance and as a face-saving measure, JP may get some from his agenda included in the alliance’s manifesto.