Chandrababu Naidu’s BJP vote rakes up a row

Hyderabad: Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu’s statement, soon after casting his vote on Wednesday, that he had voted for the alliance party (BJP) and not his own party led to a controversy with the AP Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal stating that such a statement amounted to violation of secrecy of the vote.

He, however, later clarified that Mr Naidu’s vote was valid. Before the CEO’s clarification, however, TD leaders got into a public spat with Mr Lal, who asked them to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission of India if they desired.

After casting his votes (Lok Sabha and Assembly) for alliance partner BJP, Mr Naidu had said, “We forged an alliance with the BJP and are part of the NDA. As alliance partner, I had to cast two votes for the BJP instead of for our symbol. Though I felt sad, but as part of alliance dharma, in the interests of the nation, the Telugu community and two states, I’m happy to vote.”

Mr Naidu, along with wife, Ms Bhuvaneshwari, son Mr Lokesh and daughter-in-law Brahmani exercised their franchise in full media glare at Jubilee Hills.