Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his party’s readiness to align with Samajwadi Party and other regional political parties, claiming that the regional parties will have a decisive role in the next general elections.
“The Congress’ influence is diminishing and the party will not get adequate number of seats in the next elections. The BJP too is unlikely to secure any significant gains,” he said. In this background, the regional parties were likely to have a major say in the next elections.
Replying to queries about his interaction with UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav here on Saturday, Mr. Naidu said the meeting was a courtesy call against the backdrop of his close association with Samajwadi party president Mulayam Singh Yadav and there was no significance attached to it. The deliberations were centred on national political scenario as also the scope for pre and post election alliances.
Meanwhile, senior Forward Bloc leader Devabrata Biswas called on the TDP president this afternoon and held deliberations about the rampant corruption and other failures of the Congress Government. He wanted Mr. Naidu to take a lead in bringing together the regional parties on one platform.
The TDP president accused the Congress of trying to stake claim of unanimously winning majority of gram panchayats by resorting to “misuse” of power and luring the winning candidates. The ruling party leaders offered Rs. 2 lakh to winning candidates, provided they announced that they were affiliated to the Congress while the YSR Congress’ claims were “hollow” as no candidate was affiliated to it.
“The TDP is ready to release the list of its candidates who are elected unanimously. Are the Congress and YSRC prepared to do so?” he asked. He said there were complaints that the fair price shop dealers were pressurised to shell down money for the polls while the NREGS funds were being diverted.
Mr. Naidu appealed to the people not to fall prey to the allurements in the form of money and liquor and vote for candidates with efficient track record of public service.
On the flood situation, he said the Congress Government failed miserably in providing relief to flood/cyclone and drought affected people over the past several years. The State could get a paltry Rs.3,000 crore as relief from the Centre against its request of Rs.54,000 crore in the last few years.
