TDP trouble: BJP denies taking its allies for granted

New Delhi, March 8

A day after the TDP’s decision to pull out its members from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, the BJP dismissed “betrayal” charges lodged by N Chandrababu Naidu against the party and the allegations that PM Narendra Modi ignored the calls by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister.
BJP leaders claim the party and the government treated all its allies with utmost respect and followed the “coalition dharma” and the TDP’s decision was based on political reasons and the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
Though TDP MPs will continue protests in Parliament on their special status demand for the state, BJP leaders say Andhra Pradesh has been provided well by the Centre. Sources also point to speculation of TDP’s chief rival YSR Congress and Jagan Mohan Reddy cozying up to the BJP in Andhra Pradesh. Besides, the TDP has not pulled out of the NDA, they say.
Overall, there is much more to the entire situation than meets the eye, they say. Let us wait for Naidu’s next step, whether he pulls out completely, they say, also adding that this would not be the first time the TDP has walked out of the NDA. Meanwhile, the PM is expected to speak to Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday, they add.
This is not the first time an NDA ally has accused the BJP of “high-handedness”. Recently, the Shiv Sena also walked out of the NDA, leading to murmurs from other allies, including the Akali Dal. The TDP on Wednesday night decided to pull out of the NDA government at the Centre and asked two of its ministers in the Modi government to tender resignation.
However, it kept the door open for ties with the BJP. The TDP took the “painful decision in the interest of the state” as it was left with “no other option”, party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said at an emergency press briefing.
The two ministers in the government are Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Minister of State for Science and Technology YS Chowdary. The BJP, meanwhile, decided to pull out its ministers from the Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra government.