Telugu Desam?at BJP mercy in alliance

Hyderabad: The BJP appears to be positioning itself to call the shots in the electoral alliance with the Telugu Desam that appears imminent in the 2014 general elections.

Once bitten twice shy, the BJP is very cautious and is not exhibiting any enthusiasm either in the open or during private discussions over the alliance. This is in sharp contrast to the TD, including its chief, N. Chandrababu Naidu, already slipping into the jubilation mode over the electoral benefits they can reap out from BJP Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi.

The reactions of Naidu and BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javadekar here on Sunday were self explanatory on the emerging scenario. Though the alliance has been clinched, Javadekar dismissed it as media speculation. “He just attended the swearing-in ceremony like several party heads. That does not mean we have come to an electoral understanding,” he told the media.

The BJP leader went on to explain that the party would think of alliances only after the poll notification was issued. “Elections are still far away,” he quipped.

On the contrary, the TD chief stressed the need for anti-Congress forces joining together. “Why the Congress should be worried if TD and BJP enter an alliance,” Naidu asked at a press conference. “Our policy is to defeat the Congress,” he said while avoiding a direct reply on the alliance.

He, however, said non Congress parties would come to power across the country, going by the mood of the people. TD campaign managers were working overtime to project positively the reunion in the vernacular media. Leaders who accompanied Naidu to Bhopal displayed enthusiasm in explaining how the BJP top leadership gave prominence to their leader.

“The BJP even requested Naidu to become NDA convener,” a senior TD leader said adding that they reminded him of his United Front days, when he could put equal focus on national and state politics.

The BJP leaders on the other hand said the electoral alliance is being forged much against the wishes of the state leaders, in particular, those from Telangana region. They accused Naidu of embracing the BJP in 1999 for poll benefits and disallowing the party to grow till both got drubbed in 2004.

“He dumped us post 2004 and is now eager to join hands to cash in on Namo wave,” a senior BJP leader lamented. The state BJP leaders told their central leadership to insist on a higher number of Lok Sabha seats as well as Assembly this time.