TDP back in NDA fold; ties up for LS, AP polls

 After a gap of 10 years, the TDP has returned to the NDA with Chandrababu Naidu hoping to play the kingmaker in Delhi. The alliance was, however, opposed by local leaders of both parties.

According to the deal, the BJP will contest 47 Assembly and seven Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and 15 Assembly and five Lok Sabha seats in Seemandhra. The TDP will contest 72 Assembly and 10 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and 160 Assembly and 20 Lok Sabha seats in Seemandhra.

Elections to 119 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana are scheduled for April 30 while the 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies of Seemandhra will go to the polls on May 7.

“The TDP will be part of the NDA now. Chandrababu Naidu will be the co-architect with Narendra Modi in creating a corruption and Congress-free India,” said Naresh Gujral of the Akali Dal, another NDA partner.

Announcing the poll alliance, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu said the alliance will help to develop both the states. He said political history and economic strides created by Modi in Gujarat will be replicated all over the country soon. Naidu urged party workers to prepare for sacrifices as the nation needs the NDA at the helm of affairs. 

Both the BJP and the TDP chose to ignore protests by local leaders of both parties.
Mainampalli Hanmanth Rao, a senior TDP leader from Medak and aspirant of Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat, and his supporters staged a dharna in front of Naidu’s residence.