With the exit polls predicting a slender lead for the UPA, the BJP has intensified its efforts to woo the Telugu Desam.
The BJP is likely to invite the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, to join the NDA government if his party is unable to form a government in AP.
According to BJP leaders, the TD’s support can tilt the balance in favour of NDA at the national level. BJP leaders expect the TD to win around 20 Lok Sabha seats. Even if its tally is 15 Lok Sabha seats, the TD can play a crucial role they feel.
Senior leaders of the BJP including Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu and Mr Bandaru Dattatreya have been entrusted with the task of wooing the TD. They have been discussing strategies with the party’s top leaders including Mr L.K.Advani and Mr Rajnath Singh.
“The BJP prefers the support of any party barring the Left and the Congress,” said the BJP spokesperson, Mr N. Ramachander Rao. “We have no objection in taking the support from Mr Naidu. The TD is keen to prevent the Congress from forming government at the Centre.”
He added that the TD would be given due respect if it joined hands with BJP. “TD leaders can trust us and extend their support to BJP which has rich experience in running coalition governments,” he added.
BJP leaders feel the Third Front would not get enough seats to form government.
BJP leaders say that if the TD extends support, it will encourage other parties too to join hands with the NDA.
Meanwhile, an “exit poll” put out by the TD shows a big win for Mahakutami.
The party predicted 179 seats for Mahakutami, Congress 57, Praja Rajyam 21, MIM 4, BJP 3, and others five.
It said 25 seats would see “close contests,” like Sakshi TV had done in its exit poll on Wednesday.
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