Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has asserted that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu aspired to become the vice-chairman of the National Democratic Alliance following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. According to Gowda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined Naidu’s proposal. This claim was made during a session in the Rajya Sabha, where Gowda elaborated on the political dynamics within the NDA.
In response, Bharatiya Janata Party President J.P. Nadda refuted Gowda’s assertion, stating unequivocally that no such discussion had ever taken place. Nadda emphasized that the BJP had not engaged in any dialogue concerning Naidu’s inclusion in the NDA’s leadership structure.
Chandrababu Naidu, leader of the Telugu Desam Party , has had a complex relationship with the NDA. The TDP was initially a constituent of the NDA but parted ways in 2018, citing disagreements over the granting of special status to Andhra Pradesh. Since then, Naidu has been active in efforts to unite opposition parties against the BJP-led coalition. Notably, in November 2018, Naidu met with Deve Gowda in Bengaluru to discuss strategies for forming a united front of opposition parties ahead of the 2019 general elections. During this meeting, Naidu criticized the NDA government, alleging that it had undermined various institutions, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Reserve Bank of India . He accused the government of misusing agencies like the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate to target opposition leaders.
Deve Gowda, a veteran politician and founder of the Janata Dal party, has also been vocal in his criticism of the NDA. He has accused the alliance of misusing governmental institutions and has called upon secular leaders to unite in order to replace the Modi-led government. Gowda has lauded Naidu’s efforts to bring regional parties together, emphasizing the need for a collective endeavor to challenge the NDA’s dominance.
The BJP, on its part, has consistently dismissed these allegations. Party leaders have maintained that the NDA operates on principles of transparency and integrity, rejecting claims of institutional misuse. They have also downplayed the significance of opposition alliances, expressing confidence in the NDA’s prospects in forthcoming elections.
Political analysts observe that the differing narratives presented by leaders like Deve Gowda and J.P. Nadda reflect the broader contestation between the NDA and opposition parties. The opposition’s attempts to consolidate a united front are seen as efforts to counter the BJP’s electoral strength, while the BJP’s rebuttals aim to reinforce its image of unassailable leadership.
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