Ahead of TDP meet today, BJP says will extend olive branch to save alliance
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday said that the party and the Centre would soon be extending the olive branch to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) N Chandrababu Naidu to resolve his concerns in a mutually beneficial to both parties.
Responding to Chandrababu Naidu's 'unhappiness' over the Budget allocations to Andhra Pradesh, Madhav said, "There seems to be some kind of unhappiness, we will talk it out. TDP is an old ally of the BJP. We will talk it out with them and will tell them we are committed to the interests of Andhra Pradesh."
Madhav further said, "We at the BJP are committed not only to address the TDP's concerns with regard to the Budget proposals, but also, all other issues of concern that it may have. We will convince Naidu and the TDP not to think of severing their ties with the BJP or the NDA. They are a valuable ally."
Ram Madhav's remarks assume significance as the TDP has called for an "emergency meeting" with party leaders on Sunday. During the meeting, the chief minister is expected to take some decisions regarding the party's alliance with BJP.
Soon after the Budget presentation, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a tele-conference with party MPs and instructed them to put pressure on the Central government in Parliament over the injustice done to Andhra Pradesh.
The chief minister said that he was highly disappointed with the Government at the Centre, stating that no funds were alloted for various institutions and projects in the state and also for the construction of AP’s capital city Amaravati.
He said that various issues including the Polavaram project and the Duggirajupatnam port in Nellore district were ignored in the Budget.
"We are going to declare war. We have three options - one is to try and continue, two is our MPs resign and the third is to end the alliance. We will decide in the meeting with the chief minister on Sunday," TDP parliamentarian TG Venkatesh had told media.
Also Read: Injustice to Andhra in Budget 2018, will declare war: Chandrababu-led TDP
Chandrababu Naidu had last week hinted at breaking alliance with the BJP.
Addressing a press conference in Amaravati at state secretariat, Naidu said, "If the BJP does not want to continue alliance then the TDP will on its own."
Also Read: Will go our own way if alliance not needed: Chandrababu Naidu warns BJP
Meanwhile, ridiculing CM Naidu for expressing displeasure over the Union Budget, YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the TD, being a coalition partner, has to be part of the decisions taken by the NDA.
Addressing a large gathering at south Mopuru in Nellore Rural mandal on Saturday, leader of the Opposition said, “Chandrababu Naidu expressing dissatisfaction is a drama as the Budget, before being presented, was approved by the Union Cabinet, in which TD has two ministers. The theatrics of Mr Naidu would not work anymore, however best the media tries to project him.”
The Opposition leader said, “Naidu backstabbed NTR and he can do the same to Narendra Modi or anyone else when time comes. The Union Budget is a collective decision and TD cannot refrain from taking the blame that the state interests have been ignored.”
Calling out to the people to think before casting their votes, Reddy said, "Chandrababu Naidu may promise moon but the people should use your discretion in the ensuing elections".
Also Read: Budget is collective decision, CM playing drama: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
(With agency inputs)
