Non-BJP parties to meet on Dec 10: TDP chief

A meeting of non-BJP parties will be held on December 10 to form a front against the BJP-led NDA, said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday.

Addressing an election rally along with Congress President Rahul Gandhi, he said the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Congress and other parties will meet to form the front against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Urging all non-BJP parties to join the proposed front, he asked Telangana's ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and its ally Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) to spell out where they stand.

Terming the upcoming meeting as historic, Naidu said the TDP and Congress fought each other for 37 years but have now come together for the sake of the country and democracy.

Naidu, whose party pulled out of NDA in March, said the country suffered under Narendra Modi's rule.

He alleged that democracy was under threat as all institutions like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax, Reserve Bank of India and even governor's office were undermined.

Stating that demonetization failed to curb black money and ATMs and banks ran out of cash, the TDP chief blamed Modi for this situation. He also slammed Modi for not properly implementing Goods and Services Tax (GST) and said this affected economic growth.

Naidu voiced concern over growing intolerance in the country and said a sense of insecurity was created among Muslims and Dalits. "Political rivals are being raided for speaking against the government."

The TDP chief told the gathering that he never opposed the formation of Telangana and rubbished allegations by TRS that he was working against the interests of Telangana.

He assured the people that he will always strive to work for the interests of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu wondered why TRS President and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao was targeting him.

"I can't understand this. Is it justified? What is the wrong I have done?"

Pointing out that the TRS chief began his political career in TDP, Naidu said without the TDP there would have been no KCR.

Recalling how he built 'Cyberabad', the information technology hub in Hyderabad, Naidu said Telangana had potential to be number one in the country.

He said Telangana had surplus budget and all the opportunities but during four years of TRS rule the state was burdened with huge debts.

--IANS

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