Modi, Naidu, Kalyan to share dais after a decade
Bhoomi pooja performed, several committees formed to oversee the Chilakaluripet joint rally on March 17
- BJP bagged 6 Lok Sabha, 10 Assembly seats in the deal
- Declaration of a common minimum programme by BJP, TDP, and JSP is expected
Vijayawada: For the first time after formation of the tripartite alliance with TDP and Jana Sena Party, BJP is expected to spell out its stand for development of Andhra Pradesh at the Chilakaluripet joint rally on March 17, billed as a mega meeting to sound poll bugle by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The three parties are leaving no stone unturned to make it a big show of strength to demoralise the ruling YSRCP, which is making a serious bid to retain its government on the promise of continuing 'welfare agenda with renewed vigour.'
On the other hand, TDP and JSP leaders not only made some sacrifices to allot more number of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats to BJP, but also have been exuding confidence on realisation of 'Teesri Baar Modi Sarkar' saying the State's interests will be safe in the hands of NDA coalition. This is almost after 10 years that Modi, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and JSP chief Pawan Kalyan will share the dais. It is also expected that the three parties may spell out their stand by declaring a common minimum programme for Andhra Pradesh.
The alliance partners performed bhoomi pooja at the meeting venue at Boppudi near Chilakaluripet at 9.32 am on Wednesday. Since it is the first joint rally after a decade all the three parties have formed several committees to overlook the arrangements. TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh, who took part in the pooja, said arrangements are continuing at brisk pace at the grounds sprawling over 200 acres. He said they are expecting massive crowds at the meeting.
Under the seat sharing formula, TDP had allotted 30 Assembly and eight Lok Sabha seats to BJP and JSP with an in-principle decision to allow the lotus party to contest from five Lok Sabha and an equal number Assembly constituencies. However, after hard bargain with BJP special emissaries Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Baijayant Jay Panda at Naidu's Undavalli residence for two days, JSP agreed to sacrifice one Lok Sabha and four Assembly tickets in favour of BJP. TDP also had to cave in by offering one more Assembly seat from its quota. Finally, BJP succeeded in getting six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats under the seat sharing formula.
Justifying the tripartite alliance, Naidu said TDP joined hands with BJP and JSP only to save the State from this autocratic rule of government led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Recalling that the TDP was a constituent of NDA, he said that now the party has again decided to become a partner of the alliance as the Centre's assistance is needed for the progress of the State. "TDP was the partner of the NDA 25 years ago," he added.
