Chandrababu Naidu, Rahul Gandhi end 35-year-old rivalry to 'save democracy'

Both insisted the question of leadership of the opposition alliance will be decided post-election

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Congress president Rahul Gandhi decided to consign the 35-year-old political rivalry of their respective parties with each other to address a joint press conference outside the official bungalow of the Congress chief on Thursday afternoon to announce their intent to work towards forging a nationwide anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) front for 2019 polls. They said the opposition will hold joint protests and rallies, and subsequently come out with a common minimum programme.

Naidu’s father-in-law NT Rama Rao and Gandhi’s father Rajiv were bitter political rivals, but the two said “democratic compulsions” have