Chandrababu's shocking statement on alliance

Amid strains in the ties with the BJP, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said his TDP is ready to chart its own course if the former is not keen to continue with the alliance.

Reacting for the first time to mounting criticism of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) by state leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said it was for the BJP’s central leadership to control them.

Talking to reporters, the TDP chief said he was adhering to coalition “dharma” by reining in his party leaders from reacting to their statements. “Because of coalition dharma, we are keeping quiet,” said Naidu.

“If they don’t want us, we will do the ‘namaskaram’ and chart our own course,” remarked Naidu.