Naidu getting closer to BJP, shares stage with Modi again

Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu is seriously exploring ways to forge an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Although both the TDP and BJP leaders skipped questions with regard to a possible alliance before the next General Elections, but both have given enough indications that they were coming closer. It all began on August 11 when Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi tried to lure the TDP to join hands in forming a non-Congress Government at the Centre after next elections.

"NTR not only fought for the Telugu pride, but also ensured the formation of non-Congress Government at the Centre. The biggest tribute to NTR would be a Congress-free Government," Modi said while addressing "Nava Bharatha Yuva Bheri" rally in Hyderabad on August 11. This statement triggered speculations of a possible alliance between the BJP and TDP.

On October 2, the TDP chief shared dais with Narendra Modi at the culmination convention of Manthan organised by Citizens for Accountable Governance at New Delhi.

On Saturday, Naidu attended the swearing-in ceremony of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister-elect Shivraj Singh Chauhan. He shared the stage with all the top BJP leaders including its president Rajnath Singh and party's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. It may be mentioned that Naidu got invitations to all the three swearing-in ceremonies of the BJP Chief Ministers, who were re-elected in the just-concluded Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Sources in TDP have not ruled out the possibilities of a tie-up with the BJP especially in view of the results of Assembly elections held in four States. However, Naidu might insist that the BJP change or at least soften its stand on Telangana issue. Interestingly, the BJP national president had stated on Friday that while the BJP was in favour of Telangana, it would pressurise the UPA Government to address the concerns of Seemandhra people.