TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu has said the YSRC too would go the erstwhile Praja Rajyam’s way and merge with the Congress sooner or later. Stating that the YSRC was an offshoot of the Congress, Naidu said the merger was only a matter of time. “YSRC leadership has said several times that they would align with the Congress-led UPA after the 2014 polls. I am sure, YSRC will become part of the Congress either before or after the general elections,” he said. The TDP chief interacted with mediapersons at his residence here on Saturday ahead of the party’s Mahanadu. Naidu anserwed at length the questions posed by scries on various issues ranging from the TDP’s prospects in the next general polls to the ongoing desertions in the party.
The following are the excerpts:
Some leaders of your party are said to be exerting pressure on you to have an electoral pact with the BJP in the general polls. What do you say?
There is no question of our party joining hands with the BJP. In fact, we have gained nothing and lost so much because of our past alliance.
A section of your party leaders believe you can politically encash the popularity of Narendra Modi by aligning with the BJP. Do you agree with this?
It’s wrong to think on those lines. In fact, Modi is only following the earlier TDP government. Our government stood top in implementing second generation reforms in the economic sector. Hence, there is a large following for our party even among urban educated voters.
TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao predicts rout for your party in the 2014 polls in Telangana. What is your comment?
KCR says his party would win 100 Assembly seats. But how it is possible for his party which could not field candidates in the elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, which has 24 MLA seats. If his claim is true, then why his party could manage to win only 26 of 56 seats and 10 out of 46 it had contested during 2004 and 2009 polls?
KCR seems to have intensified verbal attack on you. How do you perceive this?
By using harsh words against his rivals, KCR is resorting to politics of intimidation. But we will not be frightened by these threats. If he continuous to use his tongue-lashing skills against us, one day he will be roughed up our party cadres.
Are you going to clarify your stance on Telangana in a clear manner at the Mahanadu?
We are time and again stating that we are for Telangana state. What more clarity do you want? It is the Congress which has to clarify its stance.
The TDP is witnessing desertions even after you have undertaken a marathon padayatra. Don’t these desertions affect your party’s prospects?
Some selfish leaders might be leaving, but the cadre is very much with the party. Hence, these desertions will not have any impact on the party’s electoral fortunes. Moreover, when you observe history, of all those leaders who left the TDP, only one or two succeeded in other parties and the rest ended up being written-offs. Many of them even returned to the party after knowing their mistake.
Those bidding adieu to the party allege that they are not getting proper respect in TDP. Is it true?
The TDP has given political life to several commoners, who were teachers and lecturers. The party has groomed them as top leaders. But they are ditching the party and joining other parties for the sake of posts. They want to enjoy posts for life long at the cost of others in the party. Is it justified?
The YSRC alleges that you have colluded with the Congress. What do you say?
Why should we collude with the Congress? Do we need any bail like YSRC chief, who is in prison? Are we facing any cases like him to get them lifted? The YSRC is undertaking a false propaganda against our party to arouse sympathy among people. But, people know everything.
YSRC leaders say your decision of not backing the no-trust motion against the government proves their claim. How do you counter it?
The no-trust motion was moved by the YSRC to bargain with the Congress for the release of Jagan from jail. As we knew this beforehand, we did not back the motion. Just because our party is in opposition, it is not mandatory for us to move a no-trust motion against the government. Did YS Rajasekhara Reddy ever move no-trust motion against our government to prove his rivalry with the TDP? Did BJP back the no-trust move against the UPA government moved recently?
Is there any possibility of you moving a no-trust motion against the state government in the coming days?
If situation demands, we might move no-confidence motion against Kiran Kumar Reddy’s government in the second spell of the budget session of the Assembly. However, Kiran’s government, for now, has enough numbers, at least on paper.
Kiran Reddy says your promises made during the padayatra are impracticable. What is your reaction?
Every promise of mine is possible to implement, including the waiver of agricultural loans. Why should I disclose my plans to Kiran Reddy on how they are possible? I am more experienced than him in administration.