Efforts of the Bharatiya Janata Party to muster the required numbers for the NDA in the Lok Sabha sparked speculation that it was wooing the Telugu Desam, but State leaders of both the parties denied that they were in contact with each other.
What strengthened these reports was the assertion by BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu here on Tuesday that the NDA was ready to take support of any party, but declined to name the parties it was in touch with. TDP leaders too said there was no communication from the BJP.
Meanwhile, CPI general secretary A. B. Bardhan telephoned TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu reportedly to review the fallout of the development caused by TRS’ decision to support the NDA. Mr. Naidu is said to have informed Mr. Bardhan that it was better to ‘wait and watch’ the developments after the results rather than take any hasty step now.
Earlier, addressing a meeting of party workers, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said that only the Third Front had a chance of forming the government and not the NDA or the Congress-led coalition. It is being seen as his way of responding to speculation that the NDA was eyeing TDP now after roping in the TRS.
Though Mr. Naidu did not make a direct reference to Mr. Rao or overtures from NDA, he told his partymen that he had absolutely no doubt over the Third Front’s good show. In New Delhi, TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao who called on Mr. Venkaiah Naidu later declared that the NDA would come back to power. Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, who participated in a day-long review with party leaders here, told reporters that the party would take a suitable decision on alliances once the results were announced on May 16. He said BJP would emerge as the single largest party and no other party could dream of coming close to its tally.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah said Mr. Chandrababu Naidu would finally join the NDA as he had no option since the Congress and the Left parties were coming together once again at the national level.
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