The BJP-TDP alliance for the upcoming State and Parliament elections in Andhra Pradesh survived last minute hiccups, suspense and pressures. The BJP will now contest 4 of the 25 Lok Sabha and 13 of the 175 Assembly seats, according to the seat-sharing arrangement finalised today.
The top-brass of the BJP represented by Prakash Javadekar and Venkaiah Naidu held last-ditch discussions with TDP leaders and N Chandrababu Naidu to save the alliance, which was threatening to fall apart.
Javadekar told newspersons that the alliance was strong and that issues have been sorted out. “We have reached a clear understanding on the two main objectives of forming the alliance. First to work for the development of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and to provide a Congress-free, stable and strong India.”
He said there were no major differences now and the discussions centred around firming up a campaign strategy, issues to be raised and working together in the days ahead.
BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Chandrababu Naidu will jointly address a meeting in Hyderabad on April 22, he said.
TDP’s Sujana Chowdhary said both parties wanted to work out the alliance right from the beginning, with the objective of providing a stable government at the State and Centre. “We have maintained the original agreement of providing 20 seats (15 MLA, 5 LS) to the BJP by allocating 13 MLA, 4 LS and 3 MLC,” he said.
In Itchapuram, the BJP has surrendered its seat in response to the request of the son of Yerran Naidu, former Union Minister, who is contesting from the Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency.
Similarly, D Purandeswari, former Union Minister and daughter of TDP founder NT Rama Rao representing the Visakhapatnam constituency who recently joined the BJP from Congress, will contest from Rajampet this time.