Vijayawada: Discussions in political circles these days are centred around why Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu did not personally meet Mr Venkaiah Naidu to greet him on being selected as the NDA’s Vice-Presidential candidate last week. Both Mr Venkaiah Naidu and the CM used jointly attended even small events.
The CM was scheduled to greet Mr Venkaiah Naidu immediately after he was nominated by the NDA, but cancelled it with equal alacrity.
According to TD and BJP sources, Mr Venkaiah Naidu had himself asked the CM not to come to Delhi as their cordial relations was said to be one of the reasons for his exit.
Their friendship extended beyond party affiliations. It only grew stronger after Mr Chandrababu Naidu became CM again.
This gave rise to allegations of a caste angle to their friendship. After bifurcation, AP needed the Centre’s support and Mr Venkaiah Naidu played a key role on this front. Mr Venkaiah Naidu even faced allegations that he was acting like a TD leader, rather than a BJP leader and that he was protecting TD interests.
There was also criticism that in state politics Mr Venkaiah Naidu had criticised the YSRC, instead of acting like a national party leader. He was seen to support defections from the YSRC to the TD.
A BJP leader said information of the relationship had reached the RSS, which led to Mr Venkaiah Naidu’s exit. It was learnt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah had also come to this decision, after confirming the allegations. This led to Mr Venkaiah Naidu requesting the CM not to meet him personally at this time.
A TD leader said the CM was scheduled to attend the swearing-in of Mr Venkaiah Naidu as Vice-President.
