The Hindu : National : TDP not to join NDA Govt.: Naidu

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Wednesday, Apr 28, 2004

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National

TDP not to join NDA Govt.: Naidu

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 27. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party supremo, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has indicated that his party would not join the NDA Government in the event of its return to power at the Centre, saying that there will not be any change in the TDP stand.

Asked for comments on the reported remarks of the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, that there might be a few new partners in the Government, he told reporters here that one or two new partners might join but "from our side there won't be any change." The TDP had extended crucial outside support to the Vajpayee Government in the 13th Lok Sabha.

Lauding the leadership of Mr. Vajpayee, he said: "He has done wonders." In particular, Mr. Naidu referred to the improvement brought about in the bilateral relations with Pakistan and the "excellent" growth rate achieved under his stewardship.

In an oblique reference to the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, he said that other leaders had no knowledge like Mr. Vajpayee.

Expressing confidence that the TDP would win "comfortably" and form the Government in the State, he sought to make light of the exit polls saying "they are not exact polls".

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