Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu is trying to evolve a united opposition against the BJP for 2019.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is trying to stitch an alliance of all non-BJP parties, met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders in Delhi today. Mr Naidu, who had a bitter history with the Congress, declared that it was a "democratic compulsion" to join hands in order to take on the ruling BJP in the 2019 national election. "We have a past," agreed Rahul Gandhi, fielding questions in a joint press meet with Mr Naidu outside his heavily protected Tughlaq Lane home.
The preliminary discussions between the Congress and Mr Naidu's party have been conducted by state leaders and the two sides are trying to evolve a seat sharing formula. This will be the Congress' second key tie-up in the south. In May, the party had tied up with former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's Janata Dal Secular to keep the BJP out of power in Karnataka.
Mr Naidu walked out of the NDA in March after failing to make any headway with his demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh. He has since taken up the role of a "facilitator" in evolving a united opposition. In that capacity, he has already met Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Dalit powerhouse Mayawati.
Here are the HIGHLIGHTS on Chandrababu Naidu's meeting with Rahul Gandhi:
READ: TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu Meets Rahul Gandhi, Opposition Leaders In DelhiAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is partnering the Congress for the coming assembly elections in Telangana, met Rahul Gandhi this afternoon to take forward the talks on a broader opposition alliance for the next year's general elections. Recently, the Telugu Desam Party chief was also invited to join the UPA by senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily.
Addressing the media, Chandrababu Naidu says, "I have seen so many prime ministers including Indira Gandhi but never have I seen this type of a government."
Mr Naidu adds, "Congress is main principle opposition party. We will chalk out a programme for the future."
Replying to a question, he says, "You are interested in candidates, we're interested in nation. We will work all these things."
Chandrababu Naidu says, "We have to save the nation and the democracy. Discussed with Mr Rahul. We agree in principle and it is a democratic compulsion. We want to organise everybody and have a common platform."
"The gist of the meeting was we have to defend demo, institutions of the country. We are coming together. Both agree to not get into past, we're going to talk about present and future. Because of what's happening in the country," says Rahul Gandhi after meeting Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi.
Recently, the Telugu Desam Party chief was also invited to join the UPA by senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily.
According to news agency PTI, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav spoke to Mr Naidu over the phone yesterday and the latter will visit Delhi every week to speed up the process of uniting opposition parties.
Mr Naidu is expected to meet Rahul Gandhi at his residence around 3:30 pm and they are likely to hold discussions for an alliance for the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana.
Chandrababu Naidu is attempting to stitch an alliance of non-BJP parties for the Lok Sabha elections. This is in fact Mr Naidu's second trip to Delhi in less than a week, to carry forward the same agenda.
Sharad Pawar
- What is happening in CBI, What is happening in ED, What is happening in RBI is for everyone to see
- Chandrababu Naidu didn't get any help. We are here today to welcome other opposition parties to come join us. Let us stand united against this government.
- Non-BJP parties should take a call on this front
Farooq Abdullah
- Mr Pawar, Mr Naidu and I have united under the firm belief that the country is going through troubled times.
- As Mr Pawar highlighted, not just the people, but the institutions of this country are seeing trouble. We all must act.
- We have to save democracy. It is our duty, and that is why we have come together.
Chandrababu Naidu
- Farooq Abdullah ji, when I met him, suggested that the we three of us come together. Both him and Sharad Pawar are very senior politicians.
- We, as senior leaders feel really bad seeing the state the country is in today.
- We have decided to come together and stand united. We also welcome all others (opposition) to come and join us.
- We have one thing in common - a concern for the nation. It is out of this common concern that we have come together. We have no other interest - just love for our country.
Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu and Farooq Abdullah are holding press conference.
Chandrababu Naidu also met Ghulam Nnabi Azad in Delhi
Chandrababu Naidu meets National Congress Party President Sharad Pawar and National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah, in Delhi
The Congress is also reportedly trying to forge an alliance with a smaller regional party in Telangana. The CPI is also keen for an alliance, but the seat sharing issue is proving a hurdle.
The preliminary discussions between the Congress and Mr Naidu's party have been conducted by state leaders and the two sides are trying to evolve a seat sharing formula. This will be the Congress' second key tie-up in the south. In May, the party had tied up with former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's Janata Dal Secular to keep the BJP out of power in Karnataka.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is expected to meet Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today. Sources said the two sides will take forward the talks of an alliance with Mr Naidu's Telugu Desam Party for the coming assembly elections in Telangana, which will be held in December.