Amaravati: The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday that after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, there are all possibilities that an opposition alternative to the BJP-led NDA will emerge “automatically” even if there is no formal declaration of its prime ministerial face.
The idea of creating an opposition front came in the backdrop of Mr. Naidu led TDP quitting its participation in the NDA as an ally after the central government did not address to the demand to grand special status to Andhra Pradesh. The TDP is trying to play a lead role in bringing all the opposition parties on a single platform to enable the forming of a united front.
“An alternative (front) will emerge automatically. People are angry with the Modi government and they will choose an alternative,” Mr Naidu, 68, told News Agencies.
The TDP Chief is of the view that even if there is no formal declaration of a prime ministerial candidate by an opposition front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it won’t have any effect on the front’s propects.
“I do not visualise any problem if the PM candidate of the opposition front is not decided before the polls. As a responsible citizen, I will work out (an alternative). Definitely I will play my role as a responsible citizen. We will be instrumental in bringing all parties together who are keen to work in the interest of the nation,” Mr Naidu said.
He said that parties are holding discussions over various issues to forge an opposition alliance.
“Recently, I met Karnataka chief minister of JD(S). We are discussing with other parties as well,” he said but did not give details.
Mr. Naidu asserted that such political alliances cannot be made overnight and said that in the past too, there have been pre-poll and post-poll alliances between different parties.
“No one could predict a prime ministerial candidate in some past situations,” Mr Naidu said.
He said that the crucial decision of the considering someone to be a prime ministerial candidate will depend on various circumstances. He also felt that the declaration of a candidate would not prove to be sensible due to the fact that sometimes the plans to forge an opposition alliance could get sabotaged.
“Whoever emerges as consensus will be the one. If there is a consensus before the poll, it is great,” he said.
He was asked whether he did like to be a prime ministerial candidate, to which he replied, “I will never go to the centre. I have never been an aspirant for any post or for any role at the centre.”
When inquired about the plans of the alternative opposition to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Naidu said, “I have been in the politics for the last 40 years. I became chief minister in 1995 and worked in the NDA and UPA. I have seen it all. The situation has never been so bad. The country is in a miserable state now. This government has failed in its duty towards people. They will choose an alternative.”
Mr. Naidu claimed that the Modi government has become very unpopular among the masses due to the fact that there is lot of anger against its policies.
“Every citizen has suffered. The government was unable to meet public expectations. The election promises have not been delivered yet,” he said.
“I also expected a lot from Modi like every citizen. Talking is different, delivering is important. I feel anything will be better that what has happened in the last four-and-a-half years,” Mr Naidu said.
He took this opportunity to attack the government over the poor shape of economy and high fuel prices and said, “A message has gone around that the Indian economy has become weak.”
“Demonetisation was a big flop and its outcome was negative. The government has done nothing to get back black money. People have no confidence in banks. Those who committed frauds have left the country,” he said.
“Fuel rates have gone up, rupee is depreciating and imports have become costly. The government is doing nothing. You are not handling farmers’ issues properly,” he added.
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