BJP TO APPROACH TDP FOR HELP : CM NAIDU

Even as the deadline set by him for the Centre to announce a time-bound action plan for implementation of the AP Reorganisation Act in letter and spirit is nearing, Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party national president N. Chandrababu Naidu has hinted that the Bharatiya Janata Party might need the TDP’s support in the days to come.

“There is a today, tomorrow and day after tomorrow. The Centre cannot take us for granted,” he asserted.

In apparent prediction, Mr. Naidu said that the other political parties would have to support the Congress or the BJP next time if there was a minority government. Many such experiments were done in the past too, be it National Front or United Front, or the NDA.

“I played a key role in deciding the candidature of two Prime Ministers in the past,” he said, adding, “anything might happen in the next elections.”

The BJP got absolute majority last time. The TDP would have had “bargaining power” if there were a coalition government, he said addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.

The main national parties — Congress and BJP — should not ignore the injustice done to A.P. The people of A.P. were well aware of the facts, and were silently watching the developments. Political parties should understand that protests should not impact the State’s interests, he said.

SCS issue

Referring to Special Category Status (SCS), Mr. Naidu reiterated that it was the right of A.P. If SCS were granted to any other State, A.P. should also be considered. At the same time, it was also necessary to address issues such as Polavaram project and the revenue deficit.

The parties that were campaigning for SCS should prove with GOs, if any, that SCS would be beneficial to A.P., he said, adding, “we need to mount pressure without hampering the interests of AP.”

Taking exception to the remarks made by BJP leaders that Rayalaseema region has been ignored, the Chief Minister said those criticising him should not forget the fact that he too hailed from the region. The TDP government had developed Rayalaseema and ensured water to it.

The establishment of Kia Motors in Anantapur and Foxconn in Chittoor district showed the commitment of the government to the region, Mr. Naidu said, adding that people had understood the TDP’s sincerity. The feeling of south and north is not good for the country, he said in reply to a question.