CM Naidu meets Maya amid efforts to build grand alliance for LS polls

NEW DELHI: TDP leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Saturday met BSP supremo Mayawati here amid efforts to build a grand alliance to take on the BJP in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

Naidu met the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Saturday evening along with Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Y Ramakrishnudu and some TDP MPS, BSP functionaries said.

It was not immediately known about what transpired in the nearly hour-long meeting, but it comes close on the heels of Mayawati accusing the Congress of trying to finish her party and not making efforts to take on the BJP.

Mayawati’s stand against the Congress ahead of the assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is being seen as a setback to form an opposition alliance against the BJP.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was part of the NDA till March this year. It pulled out of the ruling coalition at the Centre alleging the government’s refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan, who is trying to build support of “neglected communities”? in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, also tried to meet Mayawati recently.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday met his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu and discussed national issues.

Kejriwal said Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) chief Sharad Yadav was also present for a while. The meeting took place at the Andra Pradesh Bhavan here.

“Had a gud meeting wid Sh Chandrababu Naidu ji. Sh Sharad Yadav ji was also present for a while. Discussed national issues. Present BJP govt is a threat to the nation n to the Constitution. People across India will need to join hands to save India n the Constitution (sic),” the Delhi chief minister tweeted.