By IANS,
Hyderabad : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu Friday asked the ruling Congress to spell out its stand on demands of a separate Telenaga state to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu said as the president of the main opposition party he can’t take sides but did not respond to the demand from rebel party leaders in Telangana that he stand by the earlier stand taken in support of a separate state.
Inaugurating the 30th ‘mahanadu’, or annual convention, of TDP at Gandipet on the city’s outskirts, Naidu said he was saddened by the recent political developments.
TDP suspended senior leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy Wednesday for criticising Naidu over the Telangana issue.
Setting the tone for the deliberations at the three-day conference, the former chief minister called for a debate on the issues of Telangana and Samaikhya Andhra (or united Andhra).
Terming Telangana an emotional and sensitive issue, he blamed the Congress for creating a mess and said since it was in power both at the centre and in the state, it has the responsibility to set right things.
He accused the Congress of brining instability, playing with the state’s future and people’s emotions and said it had no moral right to criticize the TDP.
“When Congress and other parties can participate in the movement for separate state with their party flags, why not TDP,” he asked.
A section of TDP leaders in Telangana are demanding that party keep aside its flag till separate state is formed.
Naidu predicted that like Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) too would merge with the Congress. He accused the TRS of pursuing politics of opportunism.
On TRS threat to bury TDP in Telangana, Naidu said the party had strong cadre and nobody could finish it.
“TDP was formed to protect the pride of Telugu people and after 30 years it continued to be a strong force,” he said.
Advising the party cadre not to lose heart, Naidu said TDP emerged stronger with every crisis. Hoping that TDP’s fortunes would also change, he cited the example of AIADMK, which bounced back in Tamil Nadu despite electoral reverses in the past.
As Naidu is criticized by his rivals for ignoring the problems of farmers which led to party’s defeat in 2004 elections, the TDP chief said the party was ready to review its policies.
“We are also human beings. If our policies have hurt a section of people we are ready to review. We are also prepared to apologise,” he said.
Naidu, who was chief minister from 1994-2004, has been a target of his rivals for neglecting agriculture and for his pro-rich image. The leaders of Congress, YSR Congress and other parties still refer to the statements made by Naidu in the past on agriculture and farmers.
Claiming that the TDP alone can provide stability in the state, Naidu came down heavily on the Congress, blaming it for corruption, distress in farming community and poor law and order situation.
About 15,000 delegates from across the state are attending the convention, which coincides with the birth anniversary of party founder N.T. Rama Rao.
The conference will discuss various issues including Telangana and farmers’ problems and pass 14 resolutions.