HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu has favoured strong networking of regional parties in the country.

"There is urgent need for regional outfits to come on to a common platform because of the key role they are playing in national politics," Mr. Naidu, who returned from his two-day visit to Assam to participate in Asom Gana Parishad rally, said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in the Assembly, he said leaders of different regional parties were in constant touch with each other and there was need for a debate to bring these parties on a single platform.

Stating that regional parties could survive on their own without aligning with major political parties, Mr. Naidu said Left parties were an example of standing against the might of the large parties.

Crucial role

He said despite conflict among the regional parties in some States, their role was crucial at the national level.

He pointed out that more than 50 per cent of the Lok Sabha members belonged to the regional parties while the rest represented the Congress and the BJP.

TDP founder N. T. Rama Rao played a vital role in bringing regional parties on a common platform to espouse their cause.

The coalition era began with his initiative and more regional parties have come into focus at present.

He lamented that after the UPA Government came to power, States were denied sufficient funds and their powers were being curtailed.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail