‘Naidu did not hold parleys with Rahul’

Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu has clarified that Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president N. Chandrababu Naidu did not hold parleys with AICC president Rahul Gandhi at Bengaluru.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu’s clarification comes in the wake of criticism by opposition parties that Mr. Naidu, who used the BJP and benefited from it, has shown his true colours and started cosying up to the Congress. Sharing the dais with Mr. Rahul Gandhi is seen as a show of strength of anti-BJP forces.

The Minister, in a press release on Thursday, said the Congress did not take part in the deliberations with regional parties. Mr. Naidu attended the swearing-in ceremony of H. D Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister of Karntaka following an invitation from the JD(S). One should remember that the Congress did not invite the TDP.

The CM attended the meeting due to his friendship with former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and his son, he said.

Mr. Naidu played a key role in formation of the United Front (UF) and was instrumental in making Mr. Deve Gowda and I. K. Gujral Prime Ministers of the country.

The Chief Minister held meetings with regional parties and Left parties in his chambers. Mr. Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi attended the swearing-in ceremony as Congress leaders were also taking oath.

‘Indian tradition’

The YSR Congress Party and the BJP were raising a hue and cry over nothing, he said, adding, “it is part of Indian tradition to greet each other when people come face to face. To find fault with Indian tradition is the culture of the YSRCP and the BJP. Is the action of BJP leader B.S. Yedyurappa leaving the Assembly when the national anthem was being played, part of our culture?” he wondered.