BJP to start candidate selection in Andhra Pradesh; no word on TDP pact

Hyderabad: BJP on Friday began the process of selection of candidates for the elections in Andhra Pradesh, even as talks continued with TDP for possible alliance.

"Today, we have started our election preparation in full swing. Our election committee will meet tonight and complete the process of candidate selection at the earliest," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters here.

The talks with TDP have reportedly been stuck over seat-sharing in Telangana and the matter is likely to be clear by Ugadi (Telugu New Year to be celebrated on March 31), sources claimed.

"If anything, when we take a final call, we will definitely tell you. But today, I have said what I have to say," Javadekar asked, replying to a spate of questions on alliance talks with the Chandrababu Naidu-led party. Andhra Pradesh, which has 42 Lok Sabha seats - Seemandhra (25) and Telangana (17) - will also simultaneously vote in Assembly election in April-May.

Strongly condemning the reported "comments of violence" made by Saharanpur Congress candidate Imran Masood against BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the BJP MP said it reflected the "Congress face".

"Congress leader Sonia Gandhiji once called him (Modi) 'maut ka saudagar'. Digvijay Singh calls him names. Now, this is Imran Masood. This exposes the Congress of its intention. We condemn this barb and hope the Election Commission will suo motu take action," Javadekar said.