The BJP has sent party general secretary Ram Madhav to Andhra Pradesh for talks to solve its differences with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) over issues of granting a special status and an economic package for the State.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had minced no words in expressing his disappointment that though the TDP is an ally of the National Democratic Alliance, the State has not got special allotments and many of its financial issues remain unresolved.
Mr. Madhav, who visited Andhra Pradesh on February 25 and 26, confirmed that he had reached out to the TDP, but played down the differences.
‘Developmental issue’
“The TDP is an old alliance partner. The issues of contention are not political but developmental. Through discussion, we are confident of addressing most of the issues. There is no reason to take to a political level and start talking about a break in the alliance, etc.,” Mr. Madhav told The Hindu.
BJP sources said Mr. Madhav’s visit was important to dispel the notion that the party wanted a break with the TDP.
“After the Uttar Pradesh elections, Siddharth Nath Singh, then BJP national secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh, became a Minister in the State government and things saw a bit of drift on the TDP front. M. Venkaiah Naidu’s elevation as Vice-President took him out of any political activity. The day-to-day management of the relations with the TDP suffered. Now we hope to bring back things on an even keel,” a senior party source said.
The TDP on its part has been feeling pressure because the Assembly elections will be held next year. Also, YSR Congress Party chief Jaganmohan Reddy has asked his party MPs to resign on March 6 if serious financial and procedural allotments for the implementation of elements of the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act are not made.
“The BJP wants to keep its relationship with the TDP intact; that is the message of these meetings,” a source said. The proof of this will, however, be in the attitude of the TDP MPs in the Parliament session resuming on Monday.
