Talks fail, TD-BJP heading to split
HYDERABAD: A day after disapproving the BJP's selection of candidates for the elections in Seemandhra, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday almost called off the alliance with the saffron party.
Blaming 'external' forces, particularly the RSS, he said it appeared there was no use in going ahead with the alliance as the BJP has fielded weak candidates in constituencies allotted to it in the region. 'That will only help the third party (YSRC) ,' he opined.
Naidu made the comments at a public meeting at Gajapathinagaram in Vizianagaram district late evening. Naidu cancelled his Vizag and Krishna district tours and rushed to Hyderabad in a special flight reportedly for a late night video conference with BJP chief Rajnath Singh and the party's PM candidate Narendra Modi.
Though it is unclear if he had talks with them, it is learnt that late night negotiations between the two sides collapsed. 'The TDP asked the BJP to give up seven of the 14 seats allotted to it in Seemandhra but the saffron party refused to give up more than two,' sources said.
Both sides might announce their break-up in Seemandhra on Friday. If that happens, their alliance in Telangana too will be in doubt. Earlier in the day, Naidu made his displeasure clear at Parvathipuram too. 'TDP entered into an alliance with the BJP to make Narendra Modi the PM. But the Andhra Pradesh unit of the BJP allotted tickets to weak candidates which may result in the victory of the other party (YSRC). The purpose of the alliance will not be served, if this continues,' he had said.
BJP State affairs incharge Prakash Javadekar, who landed in Hyderabad in the evening to settle the matter, at first exuded confidence that all will be well. He also claimed the alliance was in tact. 'There is no confusion in our alliance with the TDP. If at all there are any objections over seat-adjustment, we will review and sort it out. We will announce the outcome tomorrow,' he said.
Meanwhile, TDP candidates began filing nominations for seats allotted to the BJP in Seemandhra. They filed nominations in 11 of the 14 constituencies allotted to the BJP. In Kaikaluru, TDP MLA Jaya Mangala Venkata Ramana is in the fray against the BJP candidate while in Rajahmundry, Gorantala Buchaiah Chowdary is contesting as a TDP rebel.
BJP leader Raghurama Krishnam Raju filed his nomination for the Narasapur Lok Sabha seat with TDP's blessings as did his wife. The BJP had allotted it to Gokaraju Ganga Raju. The BJP is said to have told its leaders to file nominations in all the Seemandhra constituencies.
News Posted: 18 April, 2014
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