The NDA inched closer to bringing in a new ally as Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu did not rule out returning to the BJP-led alliance and claimed on Sunday that he would play a positive role in formation of a ‘non-Congress’ Government at the Centre.
Naidu, who met BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Saturday, said that under the Congress rule “nation is in crisis” and whenever such a situation occurred, his party has played a “positive role.”
The TDP has been out of both UPA and NDA for the last ten years and Naidu’s statement is a marked departure from his earlier position wherein he has been categorical about not being part of any BJP-led alliance.
Camping in the national Capital for last two days to seek support from every political party for an “amicable” solution to the Telangana row, Naidu said he has played a role in formation of National Front, United Front and National Democratic Alliance Governments at the Centre in the past and will again play a positive role this time to dislodge the UPA.
“Nation is in a crisis. People are frustrated. Our State is in disaster. Every time there is a crisis, I have played a positive role to defuse it. I will play a positive role even this time. I will play a role to have a non-Congress Government at the Centre,” Naidu told reporters here on question of joining the NDA.
“As an economic reformer, I initiated economic reforms (as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh). At that time (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee was Prime Minister....Today, there is frustration. Total economy has collapsed. No roads, no employment... Whenever there was a crisis, the TDP has always played a positive role,” Naidu said, adding that his party will play positive politics at the national stage after the current crisis in Andhra Pradesh gets over.
Asked if he was not ruling out a possible handshake with the BJP, Naidu replied, “I am not saying anything now. This is question of politics and we will answer it when the time comes. I have told you that I will play a positive role when the nation is in crisis it is up to you intelligent people to understand.”
The TDP chief’s statement comes against the backdrop of recent overtures by Rajnath and BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who are on a lookout for new allies, both pre- and post-poll.
Naidu had met Singh on Saturday to seek BJP’s support for a solution to Telangana problem. The BJP is counting on TDP’s support to take the steam out of Congress and regional outfits’ “secularism” campaign, which has gathered momentum after Narendra Modi’s rise at the national level.
Given the “restlessness” in TDP camp after YSR Congress’ good show in recent elections, even Naidu is under pressure from his party leaders to rethink his strategy.
BJP leaders have tried to convince Naidu to soften his reservation about returning to the NDA fold and not fear about a backlash from the Muslim community who are mostly settled in the proposed Telangana state where the TDP is not so strong a force.
According to the 2001 census, Muslims constitute a little over nine per cent of total population of Andhra Pradesh. Majority of Muslim population is settled in the proposed Telangana State with Hyderabad having the highest percentage of over 41 per cent.
Sources claimed, BJP leaders have proposed Naidu for a pre-poll alliance wherein the TDP will contest from all seats of Seemadhra region leaving majority of the seats in Telangana for the BJP.
Having met President Pranab Mukherjee and demanded consultation among all stakeholders for an amicable solution to Telanagan row, Naidu went hammer and tong against the Congress for treating Andhra Pradesh has a private affairs of the party.
“For political gains, the Congress has played havoc and they have created problems also,” he said and alleged that Congress and TRS were hand in glove in creating problems in Andhra Pradesh.
He also criticised Congress’ alleged move for patch up with the YSR Congress headed by Jaganmohan Reddy in Seemandhra region after the lok Sabha polls. “Because of all these things, for the last two years in Telangana, there were agitations, people committed suicides and bandhs were organised for so many days in Telangana,” he added.
When it was pointed out that he had supported Telangana cause earlier and was taking ‘U’ turn on the issue now, he said, “I have taken ‘P’ turn - people’s turn”. The TDP chief, who met CPI leader AB Bardhan and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav on Sunday, said he had briefed the leaders on the current situation in Andhra Pradesh arising after Telangana state creation announcement. He had also met CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat on Saturday.