‘We’ll support a steady govt. at Centre’

We will support a steady government at the Centre, as history shows that various fronts, be it National Front, third front or for that matter fourth front, have failed to deliver. Fronts were coalitions of multiple parties and each had its own agenda and opinion, said Rajya Sabha member and YSR Congress Party leader V. Vijaya Sai Reddy.

But having said so, he categorically rejected the idea of aligning with the Congress, but did not rule out support to the BJP or the NDA, if the Special Category Status (SCS) is granted.

Mr. Reddy is here undertaking a padayatra of all the 72 wards. In an exclusive chat with The Hindu, he spoke about his party’s plans for the 2019 elections.

We are not very much in favour of alliance politics, but we will support any party including BJP or NDA or any of the fronts that will fulfil our demand for the SCS. “We will not go by mere promises or assurances, we will extend our support only after they sign on the dotted lines,” he said.

But he was fast to add that aligning with BJP was remote as both BJP and TDP were responsible for the sorry state of affairs in the State. “BJP promised to give the SCS and TDP failed to achieve it. Both have failed the people of the State,” he said.

‘No pre-poll alliance’

Clearing the air on pre-poll alliances, Mr. Vijay Sai Reddy said, “Our party president Jagan Mohan Reddy has made it clear that we will go alone and a few like-minded party may join but there is no pre-poll alliance with any party.”

We are not a party that would test all waters like Mr. Chandrababu Naidu has done. “He was worked with Congress-led front, the national front and the front supported by BJP. We are a party with individual identity and character,” he said.

On why Mr. Naidu took a ‘U’ turn after accepting the special package, Mr. Vijay Sai Reddy said, “The CM never expected that the NDA government would route the funds through a SPV (special purpose vehicle). He expected the funds to come to the State exchequer so that he would be in command to spend the funds as per his will and wish.”

‘Package, SCS not same’

On whether the special package and the SCS are of same nature, he said, “Special package can never be equated with SCS. SP was only for Centrally-aided projects and SCS has holistic cover, which includes the crucial tax rebate to industries. If there is tax rebate, industries would come in and that is important for the overall development of the State.”