Telugu Desam Party chief wants Congress wiped out
N. Chandrababu Naidu
Hyderabad: Sixty-four-year-old N. Chandrababu Naidu, who was in the Opposition for 10 years, is now waging a do-or-die battle in the coming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Telangana and Seemandhra states. The former convener of the Third Front presently sees national politics as very fluid but is confident that the Congress will be wiped out.
Mr Naidu is, however, yet to confirm an alliance with the BJP in the state saying that he is still unsure about the outcome but will watch the developments at the national level and take an appropriate decision.
The Telugu Desam chief says that if he is weakened, the entire Telugu tribe and its pride will get weakened. He, thus, appeals to voters to give him a landslide margin in the coming polls so that he can develop both Telangana and Seemandhra states.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. At this age of 64, and after losing two consecutive elections, do you consider these elections as a do or die battle for you?
I don’t take anything personally. But this is a do or die battle for the Telugu people across the two states; the Telugu pride is in danger now. The entire Telugu tribe needs to take it as a challenge and take revenge against the Congress for its divisive politics. I have seen everything in politics. I have enjoyed posts and nation-wide attention and respect. But now there is a threat to Telugu self-respect due to the division of the state, which was done shabbily. The TDP has been there for the last 35 years, but whenever the Congress was in power, they ill-treated the Telugus. They played with people’s lives. Unfortunately some parties have colluded with the Congress and cooperated with it. I am quite hopeful and confidant that the Telugu people will revolt against this and vote for TDP. If TDP is weakened, the Telugu pride will also get weakened.
But you were in favour of division of the state and gave a letter in support of division?
I am for division, but when they wanted to divide the state, they should have made Seemandhra too to agree to it. I have been saying that dialogue is the only solution for this. Unfortunately they have not done that exercise, they have done this for the sake of politics.
Now post division, do you think you will be comfortable in both the states?
It is a historical necessity for TDP return to power in both the states. I appeal to the people to vote for TDP in vengeance and utter contempt towards the Congress and those who cooperated with it. The Backward Community should come to power in Telangana.
You want a BC leader as the CM in Telangana, but at the same time you want to become CM in Seemandhra? How do you justify this?
I am not interested in posts and power. For me to be a CM again is not an issue. But my responsibility is towards Telugus and their development.
You, being a senior leader in politics, are now facing criticism from Jagan Mohan Reddy and KCR, who are relatively junior to you?
That is the beauty of democracy. I fought with YSR, now his son is challenging me. He is a spoilt kid and a psycho, no sane person can work with him. KCR is my sishya in politics and now he is talking ill of me. I only laugh at them.
Some reports say you want to contest for Lok Sabha this time and enjoy power in Delhi?
I could do what Sharad Pawar did. He has only eight to nine MPs and is sharing power in Delhi. But I don’t want to go to the Centre. My services are needed here.
How do you rate prospects of your party in the coming elections?
I am fully convinced that the TDP will come to power in Seemandhra. It is going to be a one-sided affair. But in Telangana, though I am sure (of victory), it will not be one sided.
If you are comfortable of returning to power why are your people talking about an alliance with the BJP?
I have only asked my people to work on this. But I don’t know whether there will be alliance with the BJP. I don’t mind an alliance but it should satisfy four objectives.
In such a case are you ruling out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP? Would you revive the Third front?
I can’t say anything now, the national political scene is still very fluid. Let things take shape and only then can I comment.
There is also a feeling in your party that BJP also played a role in dividing the state hence there should be no alliance?
Yes, BJP has not acted in a manner satisfying both the regions and in the manner the TD had suggested. Let us see how things shape up in the coming days.
How about supporting Narendra Modi now? It was you who had opposed him during the Gujarat riots.
We cannot continue the opposition forever. I read somewhere about Modi stating he was trying to resign from his post at that point of time. Issues are entirely different now. The country’s interests are important for us.
What about Pawan Kalyan? Did he meet you either before or after launching his party? Are you hopeful of his support?
I don’t want to say anything on whether he met me or is going to meet me. But one thing I want to say is that this is not the time for experiments. I mean floating a party and building up the organisation at this stage would be difficult. It is good if he supports me.
Is your son Lokesh contesting this time?
He will work for the party, he will not contest.
Till a few weeks ago, you seemed uncomfortable because of your stand on the division of the state and with leaders issuing statements against you. But all of a sudden you were able to tour both the regions and attract other party leaders to join you; how do you react ?
The Seemandhra people have realised that except TDP, no other party can deliver goods after the division. I am very happy that so many leaders are now joining me.
But in Telangana, many party MLAs are deserting you?
That is not correct. Even yesterday one Congress MLA joined me. You are only looking at MLAs, I am looking at potential leaders joining me.
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