BJP gives TDP 24 hours to make up its mind

With talks between Bharatiya Janata Party and the Telugu Desam Party being stuck over sharing of seats in Andhra Pradesh, senior party leader Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday indicated that the BJP will contest upcoming polls on its own if the Chandrababu Naidu-led party fails to spell out its stand within 24 hours.

Admitting that a stalemate in talks continues with TDP on seat sharing in both Telangana and Seemandhra, Venkaiah said the party's central elections committee will meet on Monday in New Delhi to decide the future course of action.

Venkaiah said the BJP cannot wait inordinately on its future course of action.

"As per the information I have received there seems to be some sort of a stalemate (over talks with TDP). And we cannot wait indefinitely," he said.

Venkaiah said the state committee of Telangana has been asked to make its recommendations by Monday when the BJP's central committee will be meeting in the national capital.

"....And if something happens in between then the central committee will take a decision, otherwise we will have to go ahead with the preparations," he said.

"As a precaution I have already told both units of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to be ready to contest all the seats if necessary. Or to be ready if there is some sort of understanding to make seat adjustments also," Venkaiah told media persons.

Several rounds of talks were held between TDP and BJP leaders in the last few days over sharing of seats but the talks are inconclusive so far.

Camping in Hyderabad, BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javadekar also held several rounds of talks with TDP leadership on seat sharing.

Interestingly, Telangana unit BJP president G Kishan Reddy had yesterday announced that the party would go solo in the region.

As per reports, BJP wants at least 48 Assembly and nine Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and 15 Assembly and 5 Lok Sabha seats in Seemandhra. However, TDP is willing to cede 35 Assembly seats and seven Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, and 10 Assembly seats and three Lok Sabha seats in Seemandhra.

"My both units (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) feel the response (from TDP) is not satisfactory. I cannot tell what's going to happen. We are ready to face any situation. There is overwhelming mood for BJP as far as parliamentary elections are concerned in Telangana as well as (in) Andhra Pradesh," Venkaiah said.

Meanwhile, to a query on a purported hate speech made by Congress nominee from Saharanpur in UP Imran Masood against BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi, Venkaiah said, "it reflects the mindset of Congress".