Naidu sees positive wave for TDP-BJP combine

‘Contest will be by and large between the TDP-BJP combine and the TRS’

Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu foresaw a positive wave in favour of the TDP and BJP alliance in the forthcoming elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

“There is a positive wave for the TDP-BJP combine, as people are in favour of voting to the parties which developed the city and placed it in the global investment map. The election is sure to witness a repeat of the previous Assembly elections as far as the GHMC limits are concerned,” he said.

Mr. Naidu, however, evaded a reply when asked whether there was anti-incumbency against the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government in the city. “There is a positive wave in favour of the TDP-BJP alliance,” was all he said to repeated queries.

The TDP president said his party had to play different roles in the current situation as it was elected to power in Andhra Pradesh and was in the Opposition in Telangana, the other Telugu-speaking State. At the same time, the TDP also had to play its role in the national politics as an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. Problems still persisted between the two Telugu speaking States due to the “unscientific manner” in which the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated by the Congress.

“There are bound to be some give-and-takes between the two governments and we will extend helping hand in resolving the issues between the two States. The cordial relations between the two governments is one aspect, and the TDP has to play an altogether different role in championing the cause of the people in Telangana as an Opposition party here,” he said at a press conference here on Saturday.

Mr. Naidu elaborated on the manner in which he could convince international players, including Microsoft, to set up their centres in Hyderabad, making it one of the favourable destinations on the global map. The credit for the presence of institutions of excellence like the Indian School of Business, Nalsar law university, IIIT and the IT establishment at Cyberabad solely went to the then TDP government which acted as a visionary and strove for these institutions.

“The vision given by the TDP made sure that the city secured some of the best institutions amid stiff competition from neighbouring States. No wonder the city now contributes about 50 per cent of the revenue to Telangana,” he said.

He said the contest would be by and large between the TDP-BJP combine and the TRS, as the Congress had lost significant ground in the GHMC area. He was critical of some of the leaders who switched loyalty to the ruling TRS after winning the previous election on a TDP ticket. “People should teach a fitting lesson to these leaders by ensuring the victory of the alliance candidates with large margins. The defeat will also instil a sense of fear among the leadership of the party that encouraged defections,” he said.