‘The BJP losing allies because of Modi’s ego’

STRAIGHT TALK TDP chief outlines his plans to contest alone in Andhra Pradesh and says he will find regional parties that can be part of a federal front against the BJP in the 2019 polls

HYDERABAD: With less than a year to go for the next general election, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu faces a tough task – he must not only retain power for a second term, but also bring together various regional parties to stand up against the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. Naidu, who plans to contest alone in Andhra Pradesh after severing ties with the BJP, said while speaking to

he is confident of realising both objectives. According to Naidu, the BJP will pay a heavy price for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to distance regional allies. Edited excerpts:

Srinivasa Rao Apparasu,

education. We took up two flagship projects — the new capital Amaravati and a major irrigation project, Polavaram, that would transform the economic scape of the state. On the welfare front, we have focused on several programmes making use of technology. There might be complaints on the implementation of schemes here and there, but there has been absolutely no criticism from the people. I am completely satisfied. In my 40 years of political life, this has been the most inspiring and satisfying period. I am able to deliver most of what people want, from welfare to development. We could attract several major industries like Kia Motors, Ashok Leyland and HCL to the state. We created an extensive rural road network across the state. There is complete rural electrification with LED bulbs. 54% of the work and we are confident of completing the project by 2019-end. It was nothing but an ego problem for Modi. Since the BJP had absolute majority on its own, he thought he would keep all his alliance partners under his control by making them weak. He prefers weak alliance partners who are corrupt so that they would listen to him. But I proved an independent and stronger leader and he realised that as long as I am here, the BJP has no scope. I have no such ego. Though he is junior to me in politics – I became CM in 1995, whereas he got the opportunity in 2002 — I gave him a lot of respect in the interest of my state. But he did not acknowledge it and reciprocate the same. It is wrong. You might have power. But it is not permanent. Relations are permanent. I joined NDA only for the sake of the people.

When I am not able to get anything from the Centre, why should I continue in the NDA?

Now the BJP is suffering because of his ego. It is running from pillar to post to keep the NDA flock together. The BJP is the biggest loser for ignoring the TDP, not vice versa. other state was being given special category status.

But last year, they extended it to 11 states with all the benefits. I went to New Delhi 29 times with representations to the Centre asking for implementation of the promises made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

I came out of the NDA only after exhausting all options. The people of the state have understood it. I did not come out because it would have led to a lot of problems. The same people who are now blaming me for taking so long would have said I had taken a hasty decision and failed to secure funds due to the state. The people had voted for us not to get into a confrontation with the Centre right from day one.

We had been able to get at least some assistance from the Centre because we were in the NDA.

Secondly, had I been in confrontation mode right from the beginning, I would have spent most of my time fighting them. It would have been a waste of time and energy. What is there in Air Asia case? In what way I am concerned if two people talk about me in their private conversation? The BJP has messed up the massive mandate given by the people in 2014. All the systems have collapsed. Steps like demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) have had an adverse impact on the people. Banks have become bankrupt due to mounting non-performing assets. The credibility of Modi has fallen drastically. For sure, BJP will not come to power again.

Regional parties are going to play a very crucial role in the formation of the next government at the Centre. The TDP will play a positive role and strive for the formation a stable government at the Centre.

And no, I will not lead the third front. I got opportunities twice in the past and rejected the same.

Right now, I am focusing on my state and doing an experiment to make it the number one state in the country by 2029. I am happy here. But wherever I am, I will strive to bring a qualitative change in politics. Our main poll issue will be providing sustainable governance that performs.

There is a need for continuity. I had put my heart and soul to rebuild the state, which suffered a lot due to the bifurcation. I have brought the development on track and if there is no continuity, all the systems will get derailed.

If we have to take these efforts to the next level and fast track the development, the TDP has to come to power again. It is a historic necessity.