While maintaining that political parties were free to forge alliances with the partners of their choice, BJP State president Kanna Lakshminarayana has said the Congress’ decision to contest on its own strength in the State reflects its apprehensions over tying up with the TDP.
Speaking to The Hindu over phone, Mr. Lakshminarayana said the Congress posted a dismal performance in the Assembly elections in Telangana because of its alliance with the TDP, and it clearly did not want to take chances in A.P.
The Congress appeared to have understood that joining hands with TDP would deal a severe blow to whatever little prospects it had in the State. Meanwhile, a senior TDP leader said on condition of anonymity that his party did not approach the Congress for an alliance, and it (the Congress) was free to chart its own course.
“Mr. Naidu will make an announcement on it at an appropriate time,” he quipped. On the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi as general secretary of the AICC, he said her brother Rahul Gandhi would continue to be the face of the Congress for the elections.
