The BJP came down on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders for their “unsavoury comments” against it. The party also sought to remind them to follow coalition dharma before making their views and opinions public.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, BJP leader Kanna Lakshminarayana and MLC Somu Veerraju said the BJP was not a charitable trust and had definite plans to expand its base and strength in the State.
The BJP’s expansion should not be an objectionable thing as it was natural for the political parties to grow on their own, they asserted.
It seems the Telugu Desam leaders were agitated over YSR Congress president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As Prime Minister, Mr. Modi cannot refuse to meet someone on mere grounds that he belonged to an Opposition party.
More so, Mr. Modi met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu umpteen times, the MLC reminded the TDP leaders.
“The BJP never objected to induction of YSR Congress MLAs and MLCs into TDP. Why the Telugu Desam leaders were becoming nervous with Mr. Jagan’s meeting with the PM,” asked Mr. Veerraju.
The BJP was following coalition dharma by discouraging the TDP leaders and workers who were keen on joining the BJP. We expect that the TDP would reciprocate it, he said.
Mr. Lakshminarayana said it was unfortunate that the TDP leaders make unwarranted comments against the BJP whenever it was organising a major event.
TDP president N. Chandrababu always keeps quiet till the end and snubs his party men to maintain restraint at the end of the show.
Mr. Naidu should clear the air on Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas (Nani)’s outburst against the BJP. Mr. Naidu needs to spell out whether it was party direction or Mr. Nani’s personal observations, he said.
Booth committees
Referring to BJP booth committees meeting scheduled on May 25, Mr. Lakshminarayana said there was overwhelming response from the public.
Bike rallies from Krishna, East and West Godavari and Prakasam districts would be organised.
The BJP formed booth committees in 35,000 polling booths in the State, he said.
BJP Kisan Morcha general secretary P. Tirupati Rao and others were present.