BJP confident of emerging victorious in 2014 polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said it is confident of emerging victorious in the 2014 general elections, and added that their allies would also increase.

Earlier, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu had hinted that he would be open to form an alliance with the BJP to oust the Congress.

BJP vice-president Balbir Punj said the party is keen to gain the public's support as well as the support of other political parties.

"Well, the elections are coming and obviously we are keen to get public support and also support from maximum number of political parties. We are getting very good feedback from all these political parties and individuals and I am not only hopeful but certain that before the next general election NDA will emerge in full glory to take on the UPA-2," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said they would welcome anyone who wished to join the alliance.

Meanwhile, Congress leader P.C. Chacko said that it did not matter to them if the TDP allied with the BJP.

"I don't know whether they have finally decided to go with the NDA. Let them take any decision, it hardly makes any difference. Chandrababu is fast losing his ground even in Andhra Pradesh," he said.

After the TDP walked out of the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting on the Telangana issue, party chief Chandrababu Naidu on Monday criticized the apathy of the Centre towards the agitation of the 'burning' state of Andhra Pradesh.

"One state is burning, virtually, because of your political gain you have done so many things in that state. More than two years Telangana, now Seemandhra, so far no action has been taken, you are not calling anybody, you (Central government) are not discussing it with anybody," Naidu said.

Earlier, the TDP chief had met with President Pranab Mukherjee and political leaders, including BJP President Rajnath Singh, in the national capital to seek an amicable solution to the division of Andhra Pradesh and, with it, the creation of Telangana.

TDP had been protesting against the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, ever since the Congress Party agreed to create Telangana.

Earlier, on August 1, legislators from Andhra Pradesh had submitted their resignations as a mark of protest over the Congress' decision to bifurcate the state.

The Congress Working Committee's (CWC) decision to grant separate statehood to Telangana, on July 30, has invited severe criticism towards the ruling party, as the timing of the announcement comes crucially close to the 2014 general elections.