TDP will never support Advani as PM: Naidu

Former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, today said his Telugu Desam Party will never help LK Advani become Prime Minister nor support any BJP Govt at the Centre.

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, a key ally of the previous Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, on Sunday said his Telugu Desam Party will never help LK Advani become Prime Minister nor support any BJP government at the Centre.

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"No, no BJP. Never. (There is) no question. We have no relations with BJP," he said when asked if he will support the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate in the event of the saffron party forming the government after the Lok Sabha polls.

The TDP chief also made it clear that his party would not have any truck with BJP before or after the general elections.

"No, no. Not even after polls," Naidu told PTI in an interview when asked whether there was any possibility of TDP having any alliance with BJP before and after the ensuing polls.

Naidu had said his party's tie-up with BJP and the Gujarat violence had a "negative effect" on its minority vote bank in the 2004 Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.

"The Gujarat problem did have a negative impact on the minorities' support for TDP despite our government's numerous steps for their welfare," Naidu said.

However, BJP had refuted Naidu's claim and blamed the anti-incumbency for the TDP's rout.