BJP won’t be able to form govt in 2019, says Naidu

Vijayawada, May 27

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a “campaign PM... who has failed to deliver on promises” and the BJP would “definitely” not remain in power after the 2019 General Election.

Naidu said the Congress, too, won’t be able to form the next government on its own and stressed that regional parties have “able and capable leaders” who will play an important role after the polls.

The remarks came a few days after he shared stage with leaders of several regional parties at the swearing-in of HD Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister of the Congress-JD(S) Karnataka Government after a bitterly-fought election that threw up a hung verdict.

Inaugurating Mahanadu, the TDP’s annual conclave in Vijayawada, Naidu said his party had played key role in forming governments in the past and had the power to change the narrative in the country, hinting that it could tie-up with like-minded parties to stop the BJP.

Naidu said the TDP was a key player in the formation of the United Front government in 1996.

“The TDP has in the past played a key role in forming governments. It has the power to change the political narrative in the country. We won’t step back,” Naidu said.

On allegations of EVM manipulation during elections, he said thorough discussions should be held on the use of “electronic voting machines to ensure fair elections”. Naidu said the TDP withdrew support from the NDA government as the Centre had reneged on its promise to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh and failed to implement the AP Reorganisation Act.

He alleged that the saffron party was resorting to “revenge politics” and using institutions such as the CBI and ED to put pressure on those who did not follow its line. He accused the BJP of betraying the people of Andhra and trying to create law and order problems in collusion with Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress.

He said the BJP government had promised a special package for backward districts of Andhra on the lines of Bundelkhand region. But, Naidu alleged, the BJP betrayed Andhra people. — PTI