The Rediff Interview/Nara Chandrababu Naidu
'Why should I be scared of the BJP?'
Andhra Pradesh Chief
Minister and United front convenor
Nara Chandrababu Naidu
is accused of betraying H D Deve
Gowda whose replacement as UF leader he sought on Sunday, after
declaring all of last week that that option was not on the Front's agenda.
Despite his busy schedule, Naidu spared some time to
answer Rediff On The NeT's M S Shanker
questions on the UF leadership issue. Excerpts from
the conversation:
Why did the Federal Front concede
Congress president Sitaram Kesri's demand that the UF
leader be changed?
We had to take this decision with a heavy heart. Not that we want
Deve Gowda to go. I happen to be the convenor of the United
Front and it was in the best interests of the country that we took
such a decision. A poor nation like ours cannot afford to go to
the polls every year. Moreover, if such a thing has to happen, then
a communal party like the BJP may take maximum advantage
of the situation.
Does it mean that regional parties like your Telugu Desam are scared of
the BJP making inroads in your support base?
No, that's not true. In Andhra Pradesh the BJP has no roots. Why
should I be scared of that party?
But the BJP is aligned with the TDP-NTR faction led by Lakshmi
Sivaparvati in Andhra Pradesh.
It's better to talk the least about that party. You know their
performance in the last Lok Sabha or recent assembly by-elections?
They drew a blank. So, better not give credence to them. Their
very existence is questionable.
Many feel you are scared of facing the electorate afresh
as your government has had to review some of NTR's policies such as the
Rs 2 a kilo rice scheme, subsidised power
tariff to farmers and, of course, lifting of 'total prohibition'.
Hold on.... You can be rest assured that the people of my state
understand the problems that my party has had to confront.
By increasing the price of subsidised rice from Rs 2 a kilo to
Rs 3.50 and the power tariff to the agriculture sector from Rs
50 to Rs 100, the heavens haven't fallen. Similarly, my government
felt no point in pursuing with the prohibition policy which has become
humanly impossible to implement. For the overall
development of the state, we have had to make some sacrifices.
You repeatedly assured the people that Deve Gowda will not be made
a sacrificial goat. But that is what he has become now.
There is no other option left before us to save the nation
as well as the UF to stay united.
Would the United Front have disintegrated
if Deve Gowda failed to step down?
One cannot rule out such a possibility. (He excused himself from
a discussion on the issue.).
When did you realise that Deve Gowda had to go
"to save the country"?
After talking to my Federal Front partners.
So the Janata Dal, the major constituent of the UF, had to toe the Federal Front
line?
You can draw your own conclusions. I shall
not say anything to that effect.
Are you sure that the Congress will not pull
down the new government?
We shall take some concrete assurances from the Congress.
Are you in the race for prime ministership?
No.
Why?
I have my own priorities. I am more keen to develop my own state.
At the same time I shall not shirk my responsibility in contributing
my mite to the nation whenever it is required.
Tell us what you think of this interview
|