Non-BJP opposition parties unlikely to meet on May 21

Amaravati: The non-BJP opposition parties are unlikely to meet on May 21 as Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee has requested TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu to fix a date after the declaration of results on May 23 for it, at the convenience of other parties.

"Our leader is yet to take a call on this. It depends on the outcome of the elections. The meeting, though, is bound to happen after the 23rd," a member of the TDP politburo said here on Monday.

During their meeting on Thursday last, the AP Chief Minister reportedly suggested to his West Bengal counterpart that a meeting of the non-BJP opposition parties be convened on May 21 to discuss the post-poll strategy.

She, however, expressed reservations over this, citing the impending counting of votes on May 23.

TDP sources here aver that Mamata Banerjee expressed apprehensions over the safety of the EVMs stored in strong rooms across the country and, as such, there was a need for all opposition parties to keep a constant vigil to thwart the BJP's "nefarious plans."

She also felt that opposition leaders should remain in their respective states to monitor the counting arrangements, as well as safety of the strong rooms.

"Hence, she wanted the opposition meeting to be held after May 23. Anyway, the opposition meeting has to happen after the results are out," the TDP leader said.

Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu continued his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying a certain despondency has crept in in the latter.

"His latest utterances are an indication of Modis despondency. He is talking about Rajiv Gandhi, who died 28 years ago.

He is also trying to derive mileage from the sacrifices of Army men," the TDP chief said at a meeting of the partys Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency leaders here Monday.