The YSRC leadership has made it clear that the party would not join hands with the BJP-led NDA after the next general elections even if the alliance would be in a position to form the government at the Centre.
Even as the one-year countdown to the 2014 general elections is set to begin on May 20, YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister Sharmila, who completed 2,000 km of her ‘Maro Praja Prasthanam’ padayatra on Thursday, ruled out the possibility of her party supporting the BJP-led NDA.
Sharmila, who is now undertaking the padayatra in West Godavari district, interacted with a few reporters of national dailies at Ravikampadu in Chinthalapudi Assembly constituency, on Thursday. Sharmila said her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy was against any electoral understanding with the BJP.
“We can’t support the BJP-led NDA after the polls. If we do, the minorities will suffer. Our party doesn’t want any alliances at national level that are detrimental to the interests of the minorities,” said Sharmila.
When reminded of a statement made by YS Vijaya Laskhmi some months ago that the YSRC might support the UPA after the 2014 polls, which created a furore in political circles, Sharmila said her mother was quoted out of context by the media.
“Jagananna feels whichever alliance that wants to form the government at the Centre after the 2014 polls will have to take the support of the YSRC. BJP-led NDA, Congress-led UPA and Left-led Third Front would be the possible contenders. We won’t support the BJP-led NDA. Then we will have to back either the UPA or the Third Front.”
If the Third Front is in a position to form the government, the YSRC would extend its support to it, provided the interests of the state are looked after.
If the Third Front cannot secure the required numbers and the UPA does, then the YSRC will extend outside support to the UPA.
“If the UPA promises to take up major irrigation projects in the state, like Polavaram and Pranahita-Chevella, and waive agricultural loans, then we will not hesitate to back the UPA. What we feel is that our (family) differences with the Congress should not affect the development of the state. Why should the state suffer for our sake?” she asked.
Earlier, on the completion of 2,000 km padayatra, Sharmila was joined by her mother Vijaya Lakshmi and party MLAs at Ravikampadu. She will be walking for another 1,000 km to reach Ichchapuram in the northern tip of the state to set the record of being the first woman to walk 3,000 km.