BJP-TDP alliance runs into rough weather
18 April 2014 3:03 PM GMT
The alliance between the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ran into a rough weather over ‘fielding of weak candidates by the latter’ for the state election, which is scheduled on 30 April and 7 May, along with the ongoing general poll.
The situation turned bitter on Thursday when leaders of the regional party filed nominations from at least three assembly constituencies including Madanapalle, Santhanuthalapadu and Rajahmundry city, given to the BJP under the seat sharing pact.
BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javadekar, who is in-charge of party affairs for Andhra Pradesh, will go to Hyderabad to resolve the matter with the TDP to save the alliance.
It was learnt that the TDP leaders in Seemandhra are angry with the BJP for fielding weak candidates and they feel this could also affect the party’s prospects in the national political platform.
Sources said TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu wants the BJP to change nine candidates it has chosen for the state election — considering that they are weak and fearing that voters will reject not only the BJP candidates but also his party’s candidates as well.
While talking to the mediapersons, Naidu said, ‘We had some problems. I expressed my concerns. But we have to work for the country. So I want to join Modi. I am confident we will put India on the world map.’
Speaking to the Millennium Post, Javadekar said, ‘Our alliance with the TDP is strong and it will remain strong.’ When asked whether the BJP is planning to change the candidates, he said, ‘So far there is no plan but if anything happens in future then we will not keep you in the dark.’
BJP leaders feel that filing nominations by Naidu’s candidates is nothing but a pressure tactic and a move towards ‘Plan B’ in case the partnership collapses. However, Javadekar ruled out any possibilities of ‘partnership collapse’. 19 April is the last date for filing of nominations for 25 Lok Sabha and 175 assembly seats in Seemandhra, which are going to polls on 7 May.
Earlier, on 6 April, BJP-TDP, while ignoring protests by local leaders of both parties, has announced an alliance for the national and state elections in Andhra Pradesh.
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