TDP has long association with Janata Dal (Secular): Lokesh

Amaravati: Supporting the Janata Dal (Secular) did not mean joining hands with the Congress, claimed TDP general secretary and IT and Panchayat Raj minister Nara Lokesh.

Speaking to The Hans India at Secretariat in Velagapudi, Lokesh said the TDP supporting the JDS as they had long relationship with JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda. He also reminded the TDP extended support to the United Front government formed in 1996.

Stating the Telugu people living in Karnataka responded positively towards the call given by Chandrababu Naidu and voted against BJP in the recently concluded Karnataka Assembly elections, Lokesh said they were working towards forming non-BJP government at the Centre and hence joining hands with like-minded regional parties across the country.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP cheated Telugu people on Special Category Status (SCS) and implementation of other provisions in the AP Reorganisation Act, Naidu called upon people to fight against them, he said.

When asked about whether the TDP will go for alliance with TRS in Telangana state, he denied the possibility of tie-up. Blaming the BJP and YSRCP for making baseless criticism on TDP,he said people will teach a fitting lesson to them in the coming elections. He criticised YSRCP president YS Jaganmohan Reddy for not making a single comment on the BJP and its leaders despite denying SCS to the state.

The YSRCP leaders were in jubilant mood when the BJP was leading in Karnataka elections, Lokesh informed. Responding to controversy between Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and ousted chief priest A V Ramana Deekshitulu, Lokesh suspected the BJP and YSRCP hand behind it.

He came down heavily on Jagan for trying to gain political mileage over the temple issue and added the BJP was involved in the TTD controversy to defame the TDP and weaken Chandrababu Naidu government.