TDP chief to stay put in state politics

HYDERABAD: Putting an end to speculation that he will take active role in national politics, Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu has made it clear that he will become chief minister once again in the event of his party getting a majority in the Assembly elections in 2014.“It does not mean that the TDP will not play a key role in national politics.My experience will be used for development of the state.At the most, I will become chief minister once again,” Naidu told reporters here on Tuesday.He said the TDP had been playing a key role at the national level and he was responsible for the selection of two prime ministers and one president.Scotching the speculation that he would sail with the BJP-led NDA once again as the CPM drifted from the TDP for the coming Assembly by-elections, Naidu said there was no truth that his party would forge an alliance with the BJP.“Such reports were the handiwork of some mischievous persons,” he said.Though Naidu evaded questions on TDP’s by-poll strategy, he explained the party’s likely strategy during the course of the press conference.“People are suffering a lot in all the regions.We have to discuss those issues first.The Assembly is the right platform to discuss the problems.But, the government is preventing a discussion and running away from conducting the House.” He criticised the Telangana Rashtra Samithi leadership for obstructing the tours undertaken by TDP leaders including himself but allowing YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tour of Telangana.“The TRS and the Congress colluded with each other in the Assembly.They are not allowing us to discuss issues relating to farmers and others.” Asked whether the TDP would support the TRS’ demand for adoption of a resolution by the Assembly urging the Centre to introduce a bill on Telangana in Parliament, Naidu recalled that TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao saying that there was no need for the Assembly to pass a resolution.“The TDP made its stance clear on Telangana.We have submitted a letter to Pranab Mukherjee.It is the ruling Congress which has to solve the impasse,” Naidu reiterated.Put together, the party’s electoral strategy appears to be to highlight pressing issues concerning people and to go hammer and tongs at the TRS, Congress and YSRC during campaigning.Naidu will allow his party candidates to raise “Jai Telangana” and “Jai TDP” slogans during campaigning.