HYDERABAD, Apr 6: In a major boost to NDA, TDP today returned to the BJP-led alliance after a gap of a decade ahead of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.
The development, however, saw ticket aspirants in both the parties voicing protest as they feared losing their constituencies.
BJP, which has succeeded in wooing several regional players across the country into its fold for general polls, hopes to improve its presence in Andhra Pradesh whose bifurcation into creation of Telangana is mere formality now.
TDP had supported NDA Government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee but parted ways with the saffron party in 2004 after losing power in Andhra Pradesh.
The two parties have been engaged in talks for over a fortnight now as ticket aspirants in both parties mounted pressure on their respective parties not to concede too many seats in the alliance.
As per the seat-sharing arrangement between TDP and BJP, the saffron party would contest five Lok Sabha and 15 Assembly seats in Seemandhra and eight Parliamentary and 47 Assembly seats in Telangana.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference addressed by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar and Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral, who mediated between the two parties.
“I am delighted to inform you that Naidu’s party, TDP, will now be a part of NDA,” Gujral said.
Heaping praise on Naidu, he said, “Whenever the nation faced a crisis, Chandrababu Naidu has come to the rescue of the nation”.
“He will be a co-architect, with Narendra Modi in creating a corruption-free and Congress-free India,” he said.
Javadekar, who has been involved in negotiations with TDP, said the announcement of alliance is “historic” as it has enthused not only Telangana and (new) Andhra Pradesh but the whole country.
“BJP national president Rajnath Singh today telephoned Naiduji. They had good exchange. Arun Jaitleyji also spoke to him. What we are going to declare will usher in both the States, is what we always said that both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh can exist peacefully and prosper rapidly,” Javadekar said.
Describing TDP-BJP alliance as a “lucky one”, the TDP chief expressed confidence that NDA would win over 300 seats (in Lok Sabha elections) this time and throw out Congress.
Asked how he would justify joining NDA when BJP leaders like Amit Shah reportedly making some “communal” comments, Naidu said BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate is seen all over the country as a development-oriented leader.
“Ours is a secular party. We maintain that. We supported NDA. At that time also, we were clear. Even Modi, country is supporting him for development. Irrespective of communities, regions, people are supporting him for development,” he said.
Asked about resentment in both the parties over seat-sharing, Naidu and Javadekar said the alliance has been finalised in national interest and that ticket aspirants in both the parties would cooperate in good spirit.
Meanwhile, outside Naidu’s residence, where the press conference was held, supporters of some TDP ticket aspirants gathered and demanded that no alliance be entered into with BJP as they may have to sacrifice their seats.
High drama was witnessed in BJP office here yesterday when presidents of its Telangana district units strongly opposed the electoral tie-up with TDP and threatened to resign from the party. They also held a protest at the hotel where Javadekar was staying.
BJP’s Telangana unit president G Kishan Reddy, who is said to be not too happy with the alliance with TDP, told reporters he was trying to pacify the leaders and activists. (PTI)
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