TDP pulls out of NDA LIVE updates: Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has said it won't support the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, describing the move in the Lok Sabha as a "political gimmick".
Asserting that every state has its own problems, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that TDP's move to quit NDA was "correct" since it was meant for "a better cause".
Union minister Piyush Goyal came in support of the NDA government and said that there is no government more sensitive to the demands and the needs of the people of Andhra Pradesh than the current one led by Narendra Modi.
Informing the Andhra Pradesh Assembly about TDP's decision to pull its ministers out of the Union Cabinet, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that the situation would not have arisen had special status been granted to the state.
The Shiv Sena has begun taunting the BJP following the TDP's exit from the NDA fold, while the JD(U) has renewed its demand for special status being accorded to the state of Bihar.
YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has claimed credit for the TDP's decision of exiting the NDA government, saying it was because of the YSR Congress' struggle that the TDP moved a no-confidence motion.
BJP and said A TDP MP said that BJP has "started to play its dirty games".
Telugu Desam Party delivered a huge blow to the NDA alliance at the Centre when party chief Chandrababu Naidu announced that the party will no more continue with the alliance. TDP, which had initially backed a no-confidence motion in Parliament, has now decided to introduce a fresh no-confidence motion. Opposition parties like Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal and now Left Front has decided to support TDP's motion of no confidence.
BJP has reacted to TDP pulling out of the NDA and said the party will not succumb to "blackmail". TDP will move a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha. Andhra Pradesh CMO also released a statement on TDP leaving the NDA.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said that his TDP was ready to support no-confidence motion against the BJP-led NDA government while the party's politburo on Friday is expected to take a decision on pulling out of the alliance.
File image of Chandrababu Naidu. Twitter@ncbn
The TDP president told the state legislative Assembly that the party is ready to back the no-trust motion. The TDP had last week pulled out its two ministers from the Central government over the demand for special category status to the state.
TDP became the first party to leave the coalition since it came to power at the Centre in 2014.
YSR Congress Party, the principal Opposition party in Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday submitted a notice to move the no-confidence motion against the NDA government in Lok Sabha. The party alleged that the central government has gone back on the commitment made in the Parliament that Andhra Pradesh will be accorded the special category status.
Without naming YSR Congress, Naidu said in the state Assembly that TDP will back the no-confidence motion moved by any party to pressurize the Central government.
He made it clear that the TDP will not compromise against the state's interests. "We are ready to go to any extent to fight for the state's interests," he said.
Interacting with TDP MPs and later addressing a public meeting, Naidu slammed actor politician Pawan Kalyan for his bitter attack on the TDP. The Jana Sena chief at a public meeting on Wednesday alleged that TDP betrayed the people. He also made allegations of corruption against the TDP government.
Launching a counter attack, Naidu said instead of joining him in pulling up Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not fulfilling commitments made to the state, some new parties were trying to weaken the TDP for their narrow political interests. He said he would expose in a day or two those who compromised against the state's interests.
"He saw no corruption for four years and now suddenly he is seeing corruption," Naidu said referring to Pawan Kalyan's allegation.
During his interaction with TDP MPs, Naidu learnt to have remarked that BJP is trying to use some parties to politically destabilise Andhra Pradesh like the way it did to Tamil Nadu.
With inputs from agencies
Published Date: Mar 16, 2018 18:09 PM | Updated Date: Mar 16, 2018 18:13 PM
Highlights
AIADMK's conditional support to no-trust motion
After Andhra Pradesh's ruling TDP pulled out of the BJP-led NDA and said it will move a no-confidence motion against the government, Tamil Nadu's AIADMK set conditions for its support to the no-trust vote.
MDMK leader Vaiko urged the AIADMK to utilise the opportunity to put pressure on the BJP-led Central government to set up a Cauvery Management Board (CMB) if it needed support against the no-confidence motion.
Former MP and AIADMK spokesperson KC Palanisamy told IANS: "If the Centre refuses to set up the CMB and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) as the Supreme Court ordered, the AIADMK may support the no-trust motion."
IANS
Can Narendra Modi not give an hour's time if allies are fighting in both Houses, asks Chandrababu Naidu
In a tweet, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu accused the Narendra Modi-led government of "neglecting" Andhra Pradesh's demands. "If the allies are fighting in both the Houses, can the prime minister not give an hour's time," he asked.
"I waited till Thursday. There was nothing in the finance bill (for Andhra Pradesh). We had to get out of the NDA," he said.
TRS to not support no-confidence motion against NDA govt
What TDP has decided is correct, says Mamata Banerjee
Asserting that every state has its own problems, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that TDP's move to quit NDA was "correct" since it was in the interest of "a better cause". "Initially TDP was with the NDA and now they have left the NDA for a better cause. Whatever TDP has decided is correct," said Banerjee.
Narendra Modi government has enough numbers to defeat no-confidence motion
Notwithstanding the TDP quitting the NDA, the BJP-led government still has a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha having the support of around 315 members and on its own has 274 — well above the current halfway mark of 270.
After the recent losses in the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar bypolls, the BJP on its own has 274 members and the allies account for 41 members.
They include a sulking Shiv Sena (18), which has still not said which way it will vote in a no-cofidence motion by the TDP.
The others are the Lok Janshakti Party (6), Akali Dal (4), Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (3), Apna Dal (2), JD(U), which has 2 members. AINRC, JKPDP, NPP, PMK, SDF, and Swabhimani Paksha each have one member in the Lok Sabha.
IANS
Chandrababu Naidu targets PMO, alleges conspiracy
During a teleconference with TDP politburo members, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu trained guns on the BJP for using TDP's rivals to weaken the party and politically destabilize the state.
According to TDP sources, Naidu alleged that the BJP was running a drama with the help of YSR Congress Party on one side and actor politician Pawan Kalyan on the other.
Naidu said YSR Congress MP Vijay Sai Reddy was running around the PMO, which proves the conspiracy against the TDP and the state. "By giving appointments to A1 and A2, what message the PMO is sending to people," he asked in a reference to YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy and Vijay Sai Reddy, who were accused in corruption cases.
"What has an economic offender to do in PMO?" he asked, reiterating the allegation that the YSR Congress was acting at the behest of the BJP.
IANS
Had special status been granted, this situation would not have arisen: Chandrababu Naidu tells Andhra Pradesh Assembly
"TDP has survived many crises and we can sail through this situation. I wrote many letters to the Centre. Recently, I also gave a letter to the prime minister but nothing materialised," said Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
AIADMK calls TDP's ouster 'opportunistic'
Modi wave has receded, says Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena wrote a strongly worded editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, saying the Modi wave that swept the NDA to power four years ago has receded and "people can see everything clearly" today.
— IANS
Jaganmohan Reddy claims credit for TDP's decision to split
Andhra Pradesh will be another Tripura: BJP
The BJP has expressed confidence about doing well in Andhra Pradesh even without support from TDP. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said TDP' will be defeated in the 2019 elections. "They want to use this as an alibi to really retrieve lost political ground," he was quoted as saying by Deccan Chronicle.
Rao added that the state government and the TDP are feeling the pinch of public opinion going against them, and said the BJP will use this as an opportunity to grow as a political party and emerge as a dominant political force in Andhra Pradesh. "For us it will prove to be the next Tripura," he added.
BJP's tally may drop by 110 seats, says Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena has taunted the BJP, saying the party's voteshare in the next Lok Sabha elections may drop by 100-110 seats going by current trends and bypoll results, and the party needs to look inwards rather than foreign countries. "Amidst all this, it is clear now, that in 2019, the BJP's numbers will not be 280, but it will plummet by at least 100-110 seats. The elections are not being fought in Russia, America, Canada, France or Israel, but in India. So they (BJP) should keep their feet on the ground here," the Sena warned, in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.
— IANS
BJP confident despite TDP's exit
The BJP said the TDP's exit from the NDA and a subsequent no-confidence motion against the central government will not affect the party's chances.
What does govt fear? They have huge majority in Lok Sabha: Shashi Tharoor
BJP calls its Andhra Pradesh leaders to New Delhi: News18
TDP had to yet again follow YSRCP's lead: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
SAD says it is 'solidly standing with the BJP'
How TDP's move changes the numbers game in the Lok Sabha
The NDA had stormed to power with 336 seats in 2014, of which the BJP alone claimed 282 seats. However, a series of bypolls that went against the saffron party meant that its tally in the Lok Sabha currently stands at 273 seats. When one adds the allies the BJP does have by its side — Shiv Sena, JD(U), Apna Dal, LJP, SAD, RLSP, PDP — the tally rises to 312. If the TDP can be persuaded to come around once again, this could rise to 328, a comfortable majority.
Click here to read the full analysis.
Shiv Sena says it won't pull out of NDA at least till November
"Shiv Sena will not withdraw support to the NDA till November at least," A senior Shiv Sena leader told Firstpost.
For the past week, Uddhav Thackeray has been meeting the Shiv Sena's Maharashtra MLAs and MLCs on a one-on-one basis to discuss the move to part ways with the BJP, according to the senior leader.
Parties scared of BJP are coming together: GVL Narasimha Rao
"All parties that are scared and terrified of the BJP's emergence are coming together, as it happens in a jungle. They are not doing anything for public interest," said BJP's GVL Narasimha Rao.
During no-confidence motion, you have to talk about govt's failures: Mallikarjun Kharge
CPM supports no-confidence motion against BJP govt: Sitaram Yechury
BJP puts up brave face after TDP's exit from NDA
Left with no option after the formal exit of TDP from the ruling NDA, the BJP tried to put up a brave face. Reacting to TDP's decision, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said that it is a great opportunity for the party to grow on its own in Andhra Pradesh. Attacking its former ally, the BJP spokesperson further claimed that the TDP has decided to quit NDA to divert people's attention from the failures of Chandrababu Naidu government.
BJP authors, BJP ditches
In a bid to tide over anger of Andhra people due to its complicity in arbitrary bifurcation resulting in a strong perception of injustice, the BJP authored special status and made the then UPA regime to accept its demand.
During the 2014 campaign, Modii's unique Selling Proposition (USP) was that it authored special status and shall implement it for 15 years as the UPA promised for 5 years only.
After TDP exit, Nitish Kumar's JD(U) demands Bihar's Special Status demand should be taken seriously
On a day the Telegu Desam Party severed its ties with the BJP, another ally Janata Dal (United) has said that the special status demand for Bihar should also be “taken seriously”. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi told reporters in Delhi that “earlier Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also asked for special status and we will continue to fight for it”.
An ally of the BJP, JD(U), returned to the NDA after a brief hiatus last year when Nitish Kumar walked out of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar after having contested and won the last elections in alliance with the BJP.
We won't surrender to any blackmail, says BJP's GVL Narasimha Rao
"We went out of the way to accommodate our allies. Did they have numbers? These smaller parties tend to lose sleep over growing dominance of BJP. We will not surrender to any blackmail," says Narsimha Rao.
Before actual elections, there is always a rehearsal in Parliament, says Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Speaking to ANI, BJP leader and MoS Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says, "Will see what happens in Parliament, which party chooses to go which way. In a way, it is election year and every state has demands and issues, it is not right for us to comment on it. It is a custom, before actual elections there is always a rehearsal in Parliament."
TDP MP Thota Narasimhan has written to LS Secretary-General to move a motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the Lower House
Popularity of Jagan Mohan and Modi wave in Andhra ahead of 2014 forced Naidu to go for BJP alliance
The TDP had returned to BJP-led NDA a month before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It had severed ties with the BJP after its debacle at the hands of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress in 2004. Naidu had even called BJP a communal party which had drowned him with it.
The popularity of Jagan Mohan Reddy and the Modi wave in urban pockets of Andhra Pradesh forced Naidu to go for an alliance with the BJP. He had taken a huge risk and it had paid off. But the relationship has never been the same post results. Naidu was miffed with Modi over allocation of portfolios to no special aid to Andhra Pradesh.
Doomsday narrative and 'special' sentiment
The doomsday political narrative built around bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in the run-up to 2014 and later especially for political reasons created a strong sentiment of special category status for the beleaguered state. But, in this case as such doomsday narrative still pervades Andhra political discourse the special status promise remains politically sensitive. Hence, the regional parties are constrained to co-operate against the political arrogance displayed by so called national parties.
Mamata Banerjee welcomes TDP's decision to leave NDA
We will not surrender to blackmail: BJP
"We went out of the way to accommodate our allies. Did they have numbers? These smaller parties tend to lose sleep over growing dominance of BJP. We will not surrender to any blackmail," News18 quoted BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao as saying.
BJP means 'Break Janata Promise': TDP
TDP may ally with BSP and SP
News18 quoted sources as saying that N Chandrababu Naidu may call on BSP chief Mayawati and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to create a new alliance.
AIADMK will support no-confidence motion if Centre fails to constitute Cauvery Management Board
BJP has cheated Telugu people: Andhra Pradesh minister
16:26 (IST)
AIADMK's conditional support to no-trust motion
After Andhra Pradesh's ruling TDP pulled out of the BJP-led NDA and said it will move a no-confidence motion against the government, Tamil Nadu's AIADMK set conditions for its support to the no-trust vote.
MDMK leader Vaiko urged the AIADMK to utilise the opportunity to put pressure on the BJP-led Central government to set up a Cauvery Management Board (CMB) if it needed support against the no-confidence motion.
Former MP and AIADMK spokesperson KC Palanisamy told IANS: "If the Centre refuses to set up the CMB and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) as the Supreme Court ordered, the AIADMK may support the no-trust motion."
IANS
16:16 (IST)
Can Narendra Modi not give an hour's time if allies are fighting in both Houses, asks Chandrababu Naidu
In a tweet, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu accused the Narendra Modi-led government of "neglecting" Andhra Pradesh's demands. "If the allies are fighting in both the Houses, can the prime minister not give an hour's time," he asked.
"I waited till Thursday. There was nothing in the finance bill (for Andhra Pradesh). We had to get out of the NDA," he said.
16:08 (IST)
TRS to not support no-confidence motion against NDA govt
16:03 (IST)
What TDP has decided is correct, says Mamata Banerjee
Asserting that every state has its own problems, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that TDP's move to quit NDA was "correct" since it was in the interest of "a better cause". "Initially TDP was with the NDA and now they have left the NDA for a better cause. Whatever TDP has decided is correct," said Banerjee.
15:46 (IST)
First Cut by Manjul
15:32 (IST)
Narendra Modi government has enough numbers to defeat no-confidence motion
Notwithstanding the TDP quitting the NDA, the BJP-led government still has a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha having the support of around 315 members and on its own has 274 — well above the current halfway mark of 270.
After the recent losses in the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar bypolls, the BJP on its own has 274 members and the allies account for 41 members.
They include a sulking Shiv Sena (18), which has still not said which way it will vote in a no-cofidence motion by the TDP.
The others are the Lok Janshakti Party (6), Akali Dal (4), Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (3), Apna Dal (2), JD(U), which has 2 members. AINRC, JKPDP, NPP, PMK, SDF, and Swabhimani Paksha each have one member in the Lok Sabha.
IANS
15:05 (IST)
Chandrababu Naidu targets PMO, alleges conspiracy
During a teleconference with TDP politburo members, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu trained guns on the BJP for using TDP's rivals to weaken the party and politically destabilize the state.
According to TDP sources, Naidu alleged that the BJP was running a drama with the help of YSR Congress Party on one side and actor politician Pawan Kalyan on the other.
Naidu said YSR Congress MP Vijay Sai Reddy was running around the PMO, which proves the conspiracy against the TDP and the state. "By giving appointments to A1 and A2, what message the PMO is sending to people," he asked in a reference to YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy and Vijay Sai Reddy, who were accused in corruption cases.
"What has an economic offender to do in PMO?" he asked, reiterating the allegation that the YSR Congress was acting at the behest of the BJP.
IANS
14:56 (IST)
Piyush Goyal backs Narendra Modi govt on Andhra Pradesh special status row
14:53 (IST)
Intention is to discuss in Parliament injustice meted to Andhra Pradesh, says JSP chief Pawan Kalyan
14:31 (IST)
Had special status been granted, this situation would not have arisen: Chandrababu Naidu tells Andhra Pradesh Assembly
"TDP has survived many crises and we can sail through this situation. I wrote many letters to the Centre. Recently, I also gave a letter to the prime minister but nothing materialised," said Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
14:16 (IST)
Chandrababu Naidu informs Andhra Pradesh Assembly about TDP's decision to quit NDA
14:05 (IST)
AIADMK calls TDP's ouster 'opportunistic'
13:55 (IST)
Modi wave has receded, says Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena wrote a strongly worded editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, saying the Modi wave that swept the NDA to power four years ago has receded and "people can see everything clearly" today.
— IANS
13:47 (IST)
Jaganmohan Reddy claims credit for TDP's decision to split
13:43 (IST)
Andhra Pradesh will be another Tripura: BJP
The BJP has expressed confidence about doing well in Andhra Pradesh even without support from TDP. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said TDP' will be defeated in the 2019 elections. "They want to use this as an alibi to really retrieve lost political ground," he was quoted as saying by Deccan Chronicle.
Rao added that the state government and the TDP are feeling the pinch of public opinion going against them, and said the BJP will use this as an opportunity to grow as a political party and emerge as a dominant political force in Andhra Pradesh. "For us it will prove to be the next Tripura," he added.
13:40 (IST)
'We want justice, NDA, talaq, talaq, talaq.'
13:24 (IST)
BJP's tally may drop by 110 seats, says Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena has taunted the BJP, saying the party's voteshare in the next Lok Sabha elections may drop by 100-110 seats going by current trends and bypoll results, and the party needs to look inwards rather than foreign countries. "Amidst all this, it is clear now, that in 2019, the BJP's numbers will not be 280, but it will plummet by at least 100-110 seats. The elections are not being fought in Russia, America, Canada, France or Israel, but in India. So they (BJP) should keep their feet on the ground here," the Sena warned, in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.
— IANS
13:21 (IST)
BJP confident despite TDP's exit
The BJP said the TDP's exit from the NDA and a subsequent no-confidence motion against the central government will not affect the party's chances.
13:03 (IST)
What does govt fear? They have huge majority in Lok Sabha: Shashi Tharoor
12:39 (IST)
BJP calls its Andhra Pradesh leaders to New Delhi: News18
12:37 (IST)
Race is on between YSRCP and TDP
12:24 (IST)
TDP had to yet again follow YSRCP's lead: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
12:18 (IST)
We stand united for the respect of the Telugu people: Renuka Chowdhury
12:07 (IST)
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day
Ironically, Sumitra Mahajan — before adjourning the House — said that she would take the no-confidence motion into consideration if the House was in order. Yet, the protesting MPs continued shouting.
12:05 (IST)
TDP MPs storm Well of Lok Sabha
There is absolute chaos in the House.
12:04 (IST)
Congress lost an opportunity to regain the confidence of people in Andhra Pradesh
Even as the rival regional parties in Andhra Pradesh, the TDP and the YSR Congress are competing for reaping maximum political mileage on the ongoing issue of denial of special status, Congress chooses to be on the sideline. Congress, instead of taking a lead in mobilising national political opinion on the injustice meted out by the Modi dispensation to Andhra Pradesh, lost the initiative and is now compelled to join the TDP bandwagon.
Congress was vilified for the arbitrary bifurcation of the state. The party did not even get a representation in the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh. Remember, the success in united Andhra Pradesh was critical for scripting the UPA story in 2004.
11:57 (IST)
For both TDP and YSRCP, the audience is back home: Senior journalist
11:55 (IST)
Congress supports no-confidence, but looks politically nervous
Congress has extended support for the no-confidence motion but has its own version of the story. Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said that his party would support the no-confidence motion moved by Andhra Pradesh regional parties in the interests of the people of the state.
But he went on to question both the TDP and the YSR Congress on why they failed to do anything for all these four years and decided to move no-confidence at this stage. Is this for political reasons? the congress leader told the media.
The Congress conditional response only indicates the party's nervousness. Being the main opposition party in Lok Sabha, why did the party fail to mobilise larger national political opinion on the demands of Andhra Pradesh?
11:45 (IST)
SAD says it is 'solidly standing with the BJP'
11:38 (IST)
AAP supports no-confidence motion: Times Now
11:37 (IST)
TDP is finding the going tough in Andhra Pradesh: BJP
11:36 (IST)
How TDP's move changes the numbers game in the Lok Sabha
The NDA had stormed to power with 336 seats in 2014, of which the BJP alone claimed 282 seats. However, a series of bypolls that went against the saffron party meant that its tally in the Lok Sabha currently stands at 273 seats. When one adds the allies the BJP does have by its side — Shiv Sena, JD(U), Apna Dal, LJP, SAD, RLSP, PDP — the tally rises to 312. If the TDP can be persuaded to come around once again, this could rise to 328, a comfortable majority.
Click here to read the full analysis.
11:31 (IST)
No-confidence motion may only be the first move
11:28 (IST)
Shiv Sena says it won't pull out of NDA at least till November
"Shiv Sena will not withdraw support to the NDA till November at least," A senior Shiv Sena leader told Firstpost.
For the past week, Uddhav Thackeray has been meeting the Shiv Sena's Maharashtra MLAs and MLCs on a one-on-one basis to discuss the move to part ways with the BJP, according to the senior leader.
11:26 (IST)
Watch visuals of TDP MPs' protest at Parliament:
11:26 (IST)
Parties scared of BJP are coming together: GVL Narasimha Rao
"All parties that are scared and terrified of the BJP's emergence are coming together, as it happens in a jungle. They are not doing anything for public interest," said BJP's GVL Narasimha Rao.
11:19 (IST)
BJP has started playing dirty games: TDP MP
11:18 (IST)
During no-confidence motion, you have to talk about govt's failures: Mallikarjun Kharge
11:16 (IST)
MIM will support no-confidence motion: Asaduddin Owaisi
11:15 (IST)
CPM supports no-confidence motion against BJP govt: Sitaram Yechury
11:13 (IST)
BJP puts up brave face after TDP's exit from NDA
Left with no option after the formal exit of TDP from the ruling NDA, the BJP tried to put up a brave face. Reacting to TDP's decision, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said that it is a great opportunity for the party to grow on its own in Andhra Pradesh. Attacking its former ally, the BJP spokesperson further claimed that the TDP has decided to quit NDA to divert people's attention from the failures of Chandrababu Naidu government.
11:11 (IST)
BJP authors, BJP ditches
In a bid to tide over anger of Andhra people due to its complicity in arbitrary bifurcation resulting in a strong perception of injustice, the BJP authored special status and made the then UPA regime to accept its demand.
During the 2014 campaign, Modii's unique Selling Proposition (USP) was that it authored special status and shall implement it for 15 years as the UPA promised for 5 years only.
11:09 (IST)
After TDP exit, Nitish Kumar's JD(U) demands Bihar's Special Status demand should be taken seriously
On a day the Telegu Desam Party severed its ties with the BJP, another ally Janata Dal (United) has said that the special status demand for Bihar should also be “taken seriously”. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi told reporters in Delhi that “earlier Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also asked for special status and we will continue to fight for it”.
An ally of the BJP, JD(U), returned to the NDA after a brief hiatus last year when Nitish Kumar walked out of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar after having contested and won the last elections in alliance with the BJP.
10:53 (IST)
We won't surrender to any blackmail, says BJP's GVL Narasimha Rao
"We went out of the way to accommodate our allies. Did they have numbers? These smaller parties tend to lose sleep over growing dominance of BJP. We will not surrender to any blackmail," says Narsimha Rao.
10:50 (IST)
Before actual elections, there is always a rehearsal in Parliament, says Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Speaking to ANI, BJP leader and MoS Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says, "Will see what happens in Parliament, which party chooses to go which way. In a way, it is election year and every state has demands and issues, it is not right for us to comment on it. It is a custom, before actual elections there is always a rehearsal in Parliament."
10:45 (IST)
TDP MP Thota Narasimhan has written to LS Secretary-General to move a motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the Lower House
10:41 (IST)
Popularity of Jagan Mohan and Modi wave in Andhra ahead of 2014 forced Naidu to go for BJP alliance
The TDP had returned to BJP-led NDA a month before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It had severed ties with the BJP after its debacle at the hands of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress in 2004. Naidu had even called BJP a communal party which had drowned him with it.
The popularity of Jagan Mohan Reddy and the Modi wave in urban pockets of Andhra Pradesh forced Naidu to go for an alliance with the BJP. He had taken a huge risk and it had paid off. But the relationship has never been the same post results. Naidu was miffed with Modi over allocation of portfolios to no special aid to Andhra Pradesh.
10:38 (IST)
Doomsday narrative and 'special' sentiment
The doomsday political narrative built around bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in the run-up to 2014 and later especially for political reasons created a strong sentiment of special category status for the beleaguered state. But, in this case as such doomsday narrative still pervades Andhra political discourse the special status promise remains politically sensitive. Hence, the regional parties are constrained to co-operate against the political arrogance displayed by so called national parties.
10:32 (IST)
Mamata Banerjee welcomes TDP's decision to leave NDA
10:28 (IST)
We will not surrender to blackmail: BJP
"We went out of the way to accommodate our allies. Did they have numbers? These smaller parties tend to lose sleep over growing dominance of BJP. We will not surrender to any blackmail," News18 quoted BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao as saying.