The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : ‘AIADMK constituent of UNPA’

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Thursday, Sep 27, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

‘AIADMK constituent of UNPA’

Special Correspondent

Naidu underplays differences within the UNPA

NEW DELHI: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was a constituent of the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) as of date.

As to whether the UNPA shared the AIADMK’s demand for the dismissal of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Government in Tamil Nadu for Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s statements against Ram, the TDP leader said: “While the project and development is important, the sentiment of the people is also very important”.

However, Mr. Naidu pleaded ignorance about AIADMK’s protest meetings in various parts of the country including the Capital on Wednesday to press for the DMK Government’s dismissal. Party leader K. Yerrannaidu confirmed that the AIADMK had not informed the UNPA about the protest meetings. “But” he added, “it is alright for a constituent of the UNPA to have its own agenda. We have held protest meetings in Andhra Pradesh without informing others in the UNPA.”

In a brief interaction with the media here en route his return home from Ambala – where he went to attend the birth anniversary celebrations of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal on the invitation of the Indian National Lok Dal – Mr. Naidu sought to underplay the differences that have emerged within the UNPA; particularly with the AIADMK.

“There are differences of opinion even within political parties. The UNPA is, after all, an alliance of several parties coming from different States. Local politics does come into play.” To repeated questions on whether the AIADMK was still in the UNPA, he said: “It is and we are in touch with AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa.”

On Ms. Jayalalithaa’s absence from the meeting in Ambala – where a number of UNPA constituents were present – Mr. Naidu confirmed that she had been invited. “But she could not attend because she had some other engagement.”

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