The Telugu Desam party is in a state of disappointment after its president N. Chandrababu Naidu was denied invitation to an important Left-inspired convention against communalism in New Delhi later this month that is widely seen as precursor to formation of a non-Congress and non-BJP political front.
Senior leaders expressed surprise at the development as it comes at a time when Mr. Naidu is making a desperate attempt to stage a comeback on the national political scene, as a leader who could cobble together a formidable alliance that could form the next government.
Key role
They said they did expect that their leader would be left out like this, ignoring the key role he and NTR played in putting in place three non-Congress governments at the Centre.
“If any party thinks that a political front other than the Congress and the BJP is possible without the TDP at the national level, it is badly mistaken,” observed a senior TDP leader.
In the same vein, he tried to down play the importance of the convention saying it could be only of academic interest while fondly hoping that Mr. Naidu would be invited for politically significant consultations in future.
Though the TDP wants to put up a brave front, other parties blame Mr. Naidu himself for the situation. How can Left parties- supported convention invite him, when he has been gravitating towards the BJP and even shared a platform with Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi recently?
Ambivalent stand
His shifting and ambivalent political stand might have made Left parties maintain a safe distance from him while slowly building bridges with other regional parties which were not comfortable with BJP and Congress-led formations.
Worried
The TDP leadership is particularly worried to note that while totally ignoring its importance, some regional and other parties were keen on inviting YSRC leader Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
Surprised
On this count too, the leadership is surprised to find Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav’s name in this list as he was among the few national leaders to call on Mr. Naidu when he had taken up fast in Delhi recently seeking justice to people of all the regions.
