Shadow over BJP-TDP relations

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 7. Two issues seem to have suddenly cast a shadow over Bharatiya Janata Party-Telugu Desam Party relations - developments pertaining to requirements of the State as against TDP's perceived attitude of the Centre, and the abrupt turn of events on the Babri Masjid demolition issue.

For the first time after extending support to the BJP- led government, the TDP today decided to flex its muscle by bringing in an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on the national concern over the plight of farmers in the country and tardy procurement of foodgrains by Central agencies in the State. However, the consequences had to wait as the two Houses were adjourned.

The TDP's strategy was drawn this morning by party MPs here after a 90-minute tele-conference with their president, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu in Hyderabad. The MPs were apparently irked over the response of the Prime Minister when a party delegation called on him on Wednesday pressing for the Centre's intervention in the matter of procurement of foodgrains and related issues.

TDP sources suggest that the Prime Minister was unable to share their sense of urgency. The MPs staged a protest inside the House and after adjournment of both Houses held a dharna outside Parliament which ended following pleas from some Central Ministers.

In a related development, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, has cancelled his scheduled visit to Delhi tomorrow as he is understood to have been unhappy over the turn of events.

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Section  : National
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