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Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Telangana: Naidu quells storm in Telugu Desam Party

Special Correspondent

Seeks to downplay differences within the party
Cautions party cadre not to fall in Congress trap

HYDERABAD: The storm raised by Telangana factor in Telugu Desam Party appeared to have blown over for the present with its president N. Chandrababu Naidu holding confabulations with seniors beginning with an hour-long one-to-one with T. Devender Goud.

Mr. Goud’s reported remarks that the party clear its stand on Telangana before the Mahanadu in May had sparked off a mini crisis within the party with leaders singing different tunes, some criticising him and others supporting him.

At a press conference after a series of meetings with seniors, Mr. Naidu sought to downplay the differences within the party and put the lid on the issue contending they were sorted out and all was well within the party.

The Telangana issue would be discussed thoroughly within the party and an “appropriate decision would be taken at the appropriate time.”

He said all leaders including Mr. Goud agreed that whenever there was an issue, it was better to discuss it within the party fora before going public. He almost absolved Mr. Goud saying all he did was to respond to a particular situation in a casual manner and he had explained this to him during the meeting on Monday. Meanwhile, sources said Mr. Goud denied having said that the party had lost 2004 elections as it did not support Telangana and that he had fixed a deadline of Mahanadu for the party to clarify its stand.

He reportedly blamed the media for distorting his comments on these two counts.

Father figure

Mr. Goud later told media persons that Mr. Naidu was convinced by his explanation. “He is like a father figure and a democrat who understands our feelings. Running a political party is no easy task and he has been doing it successfully, ” he said.

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