Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

BJP reiterates commitment to common agenda

By Our Staff Reporter

SRIKAKULAM Nov. 30. The BJP is committed to the common agenda on the basis of which it has been aligned with the TDP, although in principle, it is in favour of smaller States, the BJP State president, N Indrasena Reddy, said.

His reiteration to the common agenda comes in the wake of the assertion by the TDP that it would rethink its alliance with the BJP if it favours bifurcation of the State. Answering questions at a press conference here on Sunday, the BJP president elaborated that besides smaller States, it had kept aside at the Centre and in the States, several other contentious issues like Ayodhya, Article 370, Common Civil Code, ban on cow slaughter, and religious conversions, on which each party had its views. They were not pursued for the sake of the NDA alliance with 23 parties.

Mr Indrasena Reddy said the party had passed a resolution on Telangana in 1997-98 and went to the polls in 1998. But in the 1999 elections the issue was not under focus and the BJP and TDP had contested together. However, the BJP is the only national party to have committed itself to smaller states in pursuance of which three new States were formed by the NDA Government, he said. Asserting that his party's stand was quite clear, he said the issue of a separate State was not confined to TDP and Telangana. In Maharashtra also, the BJP was in favour of a separate Vidharbha. But since its ally in that State, the Shiv Sena, had opposed this the demand was dropped, Mr Indrasena Reddy said. On the response to the TDP's pre-condition on alliance, he said the issue would be taken up for further discussion between the two parties at an appropriate level. Asked whether the Telangana issue would be included in the party manifesto, he said this would also be discussed in the party.

The BJP leader castigated the Congress for its shifting stand on alliances. At Pachmari, the party was not for coalitions and by the time of the Srinagar conclave it was ready to align with other parties. In the State, it was afraid to face the polls.

The BJP president, who was here to participate in the party's Neeti Kosam-Bhoomi Kosam (campaign for water and land), said because of the party's successive campaign the Godavari River Authority was formed and the Devadula project was launched. Mr Indrasena Reddy urged the Chief Minister to consider favourably the demand for DA increase for retired employees.

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