‘There is goodwill for Modi, that we must accept’

I don’t have to comment now. I am (occupied) with problems on bifurcation of my state. See the history from 1984 onwards. There was a one-party monopoly. Then, NTR used to hold national conclaves of opposition parties and ultimately the National Front was formed with NTR as chairman and V P Singh as convener. After that the United Front in 1996 of which I was the convener. Then came the NDA.

Where is the TDP now, given that it was a part of those fronts?

Now we have our own problems (in Andhra Pradesh). I have always said we will take a decision at an appropriate time.

Haven’t you made up your mind to go with the BJP?

So many times, I have tried my level best to organise all these things. Now the state is in trouble, I am concentrating on that. Let us see how things turn out.

So you have not made up your mind to go with the BJP?

No, we have to play a very positive role. The country is in deep trouble. At an appropriate time, I will take the decision for the party.

Does that mean the option of going with the BJP or the so-called federal front is still open?

As of today, I am concentrating only on bifurcation because the Congress played very dirty politics against the Telugu Desam. Because of their mischief they are in trouble now. They lost Seemandhra, they are not gaining Telangana either. The only party surviving in all the regions is the TDP. The only party that has never joined hands with the Congress is the TDP

Do you see any party getting a clear mandate in the elections, or a fractured verdict?

People are fed up with the Congress. They misused the CBI, the ED and so many things for their personal interests. So, the Congress is ruled out. Now how things are going to happen is a matter of time. Because of their failure, there is some success for Modi and also, their (BJP’s) infrastructure is good.

Do you think Modi will draw a good response in the South?

So many political parties are dominant in so many states. The Congress is in doldrums everywhere… In South India, the BJP had a presence in Karnataka. In other states, they have not had much of a presence. When they were with us, they got six seats. The Congress is diminishing in Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. How things are going to shape up is a matter of time.

Do you think there is a wave in favour of Modi?

There is goodwill. That we have to accept.

Do you think you may have a problem wooing Muslims if you were to tie up with the BJP?

Let us see. All these things, the positives and the negatives, that is one angle. We will sit together and decide.

What is your view on Sharad Pawar’s observation about putting an end to the debate on Modi’s role in the 2002 riots after the court verdict.?

There is a court mandate. Even recently, in UP, there were communal riots. In Andhra, riots occurred during Congress days. The Congress played the communal card for political gain so many times.

You have been a chief minister. Do you blame Modi for the riots?

The court has given the verdict.

So, is it a clean chit to Modi?

Modi has also said so many times that he wanted to (focus on) development.

So, Modi is not untouchable in an alliance?

I shared the stage with him. In politics, all things are possible. If you go through the National Front or NDA days and today, political equations change. At the appropriate time, we will decide.

After you shared the dais with Modi, were you in touch with him?

Two, three times. I was in touch during various occasions.

Is the third front that seems to be taking shape an option for you?

These developments have happened in the last two, three days. Previously, everybody used to say there will be developments post-elections only. Let us see….

Did BJP chief Rajnath Singh, whom you met, give you a commitment on Telangana?

Everybody is now saying you will have to do justice to Seemandhra. The manner it is being done is not correct. Today, at the all-party meeting convened by the government, everybody was abusing the Congress. You are doing this only for political gains.

Even Chief Minister (Kiran Kumar Reddy) is playing a drama. He is coming tomorrow. He is not going to 10 Janpath. He is going to Rajghat. If he has any commitment, he should be going to 10 Janpath. You have to oppose there. The script is written at 10 Janpath and these are the players, one is TRS, one YSR Congress, and the new player is Kiran Kumar Reddy. People gave you powers to solve problems or to create problems?