TDP, SP get cosy to take on Congress

N Chandrababu Naidu met Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and NDA leaders of Janata Dal (U) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).

In an apparent bid to build up an anti-Congress Front, Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday met Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and NDA leaders of Janata Dal (U) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).

HT Image

As a first step, the TDP chief, who met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav in Lucknow earlier in the day, announced his party's support to SP's plans to introduce a no-confidence motion against the UPA Government in the Budget session of Parliament.

Talking to reporters on his return to New Delhi, Naidu said both TDP and SP have several similarities and share common concerns like their die-hard opposition to Congress and commitment to secularism and would work together to fight against the "misrule" of Congress.

The modalities of the cooperation between the two parties would be discussed in due course, Naidu said.

Naidu evaded a direct reply when asked if he would speak to the Left Parties and said, "Today I met Mulayam and we took this decision. That's all. They (Left) are also fighting and we are also working."

When pointed out that Yadav had a meeting with CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat after holding parleys with him, Naidu said he is not aware of the meeting.

Naidu also had dinner meetings with Akali Dal leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav in Delhi.