AsliKhan99 at 14:51, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T14:51:53Z

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{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Short description|Indian electoral coalition}}
{{Not to be confused|Praja Kutami}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Maha Kutami
| native_name =
| abbreviation =
| logo =
| colorcode = {{party color|Telugu Desam Party}}
| colours = {{color box|{{party color|Telugu Desam Party}}|border=darkgray}} Yellow
| foundation = 21 January 2009<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2009 |title=Grand Alliance takes shape |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2009/jan/16/grand-alliance-takes-shape-18335.html |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=The New Indian Express |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218143114/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2009/jan/16/grand-alliance-takes-shape-18335.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| dissolution = June 2009
| country = India
| ideology = [[Secularism]] [[Communism]] [[Populism]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sukumar |first=C. R. |date=2009-03-22 |title=Parties in AP go all out with populist promises |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/tlK3sov407Os6OBdQ3tlxM/Parties-in-AP-go-all-out-with-populist-promises.html |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=mint |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218145859/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/tlK3sov407Os6OBdQ3tlxM/Parties-in-AP-go-all-out-with-populist-promises.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| leader = [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]] [[K. Chandrasekhar Rao]] [[B. V. Raghavulu]] K. Naryana<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2009 |title=Grand Alliance falling apart |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2009/jun/08/grand-alliance-falling-apart-55607.html |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=The New Indian Express |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218143112/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2009/jun/08/grand-alliance-falling-apart-55607.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| seats1_title = [[Lok Sabha]]
| seats1 = {{composition bar|8|42|{{party color|Telugu Desam Party}}}}
| seats2_title = [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
| seats2 = {{composition bar|107|294|{{party color|Telugu Desam Party}}}} (2009)
| national = [[Third Front (India)#Third Front (2009)|Third Front]] (National)
}}

The '''Maha Kutami''' ({{translation|Grand Alliance}}) was an alliance formed ahead of the 2009 [[United Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh]] [[2009 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|Legislative Assembly]] and [[2009 Indian general election in Andhra Pradesh|general elections]]. It was formed on 21 January 2009 by four political parties — the [[Telugu Desam Party]], the [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi]], the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] and the [[Communist Party of India]]. It was formed with the sole aim of dethroning the then-[[Indian National Congress]] government in the state, which was led by then-chief minister [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-02-01 |title=Congress headache: TRS joins TDP-Left alliance for Andhra polls |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/congress-headache-trs-joins-tdpleft-alliance-for-andhra-polls/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218160808/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/congress-headache-trs-joins-tdpleft-alliance-for-andhra-polls/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Background ==
After the [[2008 Lok Sabha vote of confidence]], the Left Front withdrew support to the Congress in the state as well. [[Telugu Desam Party]] (TDP) and TRS then joined the Left as part of the national [[Third Front (India)#Third Front (2009)|Third Front]]. In Andhra Pradesh, this alliance called themselves the ''Maha Kutami'' or "Grand Alliance" against what they called the "corrupt Congress" and "communal BJP".<ref>{{cite news |date=4 February 2009 |title=Grand alliance a morale booster: CPI |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/04/stories/2009020460390600.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207051202/http://hindu.com/2009/02/04/stories/2009020460390600.htm |archive-date=7 February 2009}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

== Infighting and defeat ==
The alliance was marked by major infighting among its constituent parties, primarily due to frictions in seat-sharing between them.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-03-26 |title=Grand alliance in maha trouble |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/grand-alliance-in-maha-trouble/articleshow/4316617.cms |access-date=2023-12-18 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218160956/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/grand-alliance-in-maha-trouble/articleshow/4316617.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> There was mutual distrust and disarray among the member parties, which caused them to lose votes to the Congress and the [[Praja Rajyam Party]] (PRP). Notably, seat-sharing disagreements in the alliance were finalised barely 48 hours before the deadline for nominations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=13 April 2009 |title=Incompatible allies |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20090413-incompatible-allies-739397-2009-04-02 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218141724/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20090413-incompatible-allies-739397-2009-04-02 |url-status=live }}</ref> The alliance was described by ''[[India Today]]'' as "a loose grouping of super-sized egos and prime ministerial ambitions with no ideological common ground."<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2023 |title=The front runners |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/election-news/story/20090504-the-front-runners-739565-2009-04-25 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218160809/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/election-news/story/20090504-the-front-runners-739565-2009-04-25 |url-status=live }}</ref> The anti-incumbency votes were also divided between the TDP and the PRP, which benefited the Congress and damaged the TDP. Votes from the TRS and the Communist parties failed to transfer to the TDP, which caused the alliance to lose many seats, especially in [[Telangana]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2009 |title=Andhra: YSR comes up trumps |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/andhra-ysr-comes-up-trumps-47816-2009-05-16 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218160625/https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/andhra-ysr-comes-up-trumps-47816-2009-05-16 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Telangana statehood]] issue also proved divisive for the alliance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2009 |title=KCR begins lobbying for separate Telangana |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections-south/andhra-pradesh/story/kcr-begins-lobbying-for-separate-telangana-45723-2009-04-25 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218161053/https://www.indiatoday.in/elections-south/andhra-pradesh/story/kcr-begins-lobbying-for-separate-telangana-45723-2009-04-25 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Campaign ==
There was a noticeable change in the tone of the TDP chief Naidu during the elections. Naidu, who credited himself as the founder of [[Cyberabad]] (now HITEC City) and projected himself as a moderniser in the previous election, now raised the concerns of the poor, farmers and development of the countryside. The alliance with the TRS also forced the TDP to abandon its stance against Telangana statehood.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Incompatible allies |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20090413-incompatible-allies-739397-2009-04-02 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218141724/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20090413-incompatible-allies-739397-2009-04-02 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Endorsements ===
The All India Sunni Ulema Board endorsed the alliance.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-04-14 |title=Sunni Ulema Board to go with Mahakutami |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/sunni-ulema-board-to-go-with-mahakutami/articleshow/4397344.cms |access-date=2023-12-18 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218163400/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/sunni-ulema-board-to-go-with-mahakutami/articleshow/4397344.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Manifesto ==
The manifesto was released on 3 April 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 April 2009 |title=TDP launches manifesto |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2009/apr/03/tdp-launches-manifesto-38060.html |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=The New Indian Express |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218163031/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2009/apr/03/tdp-launches-manifesto-38060.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Ensure economic, health and food security to the common man and reduce economic disparities in society.

* Implementation of the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS).
* Integrated health scheme for poor- and middle-class families.
* Free colour TV set to every "common man".
* Law to control [[political corruption]]; tribunal will be set up to enquire and evaluate the disproportionate income of politicians.
* Provision of ₹2,000 (₹5,100 in 2023) monthly cash to every family.
* The [[Telangana issue]] will be resolved.

== Constituent parties ==
{| class="wikitable" width="50%" style="text-align:center;
| colspan="12" {{Party color cell|Telugu Desam Party}}
|-
| colspan="12" | '''[[Maha Kutami (2009)|Maha Kutami]]'''
|-
! colspan="2" | Party
! Flag
! Symbol
! Leader
! {{abbr|Seats|Number of Seats Contested}}
! {{abbr|Women|Number of Womens Contested}}
! {{abbr|Seats Won|Number of Seats Won}}
! {{abbr|Vote Received|Votes Received Overall}}
! {{abbr|Vote %|Vote Received Overall in Percentage}}
! {{abbr|Vote in Contested|Vote Received in Seats Contested in Percentage}}
! {{abbr|Deposit|Number of Seats Deposit forfeitured}}
|-
| {{Full party name with color|Telugu Desam Party}}
| [[File:Telugu Desam Party Flag.png|50px]]
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Cycle.png|50px]]
| [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]
| 218
| 21
| 90
| 1,15,05,477
| 27.36
| 36.50
| 5
|-
| {{Full party name with color|Telangana Rashtra Samithi}}
| [[File:Flag of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (India Nation Council).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Car.png|50px]]
| [[K. Chandrashekar Rao]]
| 39
| 0
| 10
| 15,62,044
| 3.71
| 29.29
| 9
|-
| {{Full party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)|dab=yes}}
| [[File:CPI-M-flag.svg|50px]]
| [[File:CPI(M) election symbol - Hammer Sickle and Star.svg|50px]]
| [[B. V. Raghavulu]]
| 13
| 0
| 1
| 5,55,519
| 1.32
| 29.91
| 1
|-
| {{Full party name with color|Communist Party of India}}
| [[File:CPI-banner.svg|50px]]
| [[File:CPI symbol.svg|50px]]
| K. Narayana
| 12
| 1
| 4
| 4,62,140
| 1.10
| 28.90
| 2
|-
|colspan="5"|''Friendly Contest between Alliance'' *
|10
|2
|2
|5,38,272
|1.28
|17.88
|12
|-
|colspan="5"|''Alliance did not Contest'' **
|2
!colspan="6" style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|
|-
!colspan="5"| Total
!294
!24
!107
!1,46,23,452
!34.77
!33.57
!29
|}
===Friendly Contest===
{| class="wikitable"
! Sl. No.
! Parties Involved
! #
! Constituency Name
|-
! 1
| rowspan="4"|[[Telugu Desam Party|TDP]] and [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi|TRS]]
| 25
| Peddapalle
|-
! 2
| 39
| Sangareddy
|-
! 3
| 50
| Maheshwaram
|-
! 4
| 77
| Makthal
|-
! 5
| rowspan="3"|[[Telugu Desam Party|TDP]] and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]]
| 40
| Patancheru
|-
! 6
| 64
| Karwan
|-
! 7
| 99
| Ghanpur Station (SC)
|-
! 8
| [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi|TRS]] and [[Communist Party of India|CPI]]
| 32
| Husnabad
|-
! 9
| [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi|TRS]] and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]]
| 106
| Warangal East
|-
! 10
| [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]]
| 206
| Mangalagiri
|-
! 11
| rowspan="2"|Alliance did not contest
| 68
| Yakutpura
|-
! 12
| 232
| Kanigiri
|}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== See also ==
*[[Praja Kutami|Praja Kutami (2018)]]
*[[Kutami|Kutami (2024)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Andhra Pradesh elections}}

[[Category:State Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh|2009]]
[[Category:2009 State Assembly elections in India|Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:2000s in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Defunct political party alliances in India]]

Maha Kutami 2009 - Revision history

AsliKhan99 at 14:51, 6 May 2026