Now, it’s Naidu’s turn to bargain

Naidu told reporters that it was his party’s decision to stay out of the government while extending "issue-based support". Political circles interpret this as a tactic to buy time for allowing the dust to settle within his party. And that after some time, the TDP politburo could reverse its decision. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister appears to be driving a hard bargain before coming to any agreement with the government. In hisdiscussions with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues, he raised the controversial issue of the Almatti dam besides seeking clearance for pending irrigation and other developmental projects.

Naidu is hoping to shore up his image in his state where elections are due next year. What gives the BJP reason to hope is the fact that Naidu today discussed with Vajpayee the prospect of contesting the Assembly elections jointly. Sources said the TDP is prepared to part with about 30 to 40 seats against the BJP’s demand for at least 60.

More than anything else, Naidu is holding back because joining the government immediately would alienate his Muslim constituency further. The TDP went on the defensive after a Muslim minister resigned from his Cabinet following the party’s vote in favour of the Vajpayee government in the Lok Sabha.

And, to reinforce his stand, the TDP chief today took pains to emphasise that his party had always worked for the interests of the minorities. "We won’t support any decision (ofthe BJP government) which affects the minorities", he declared.

He recalled how his government had made Urdu the second language in eight districts, set up special educational institutions and increased the budget for minorities. Ever since the TDP came to power, he pointed out, there had not been a single communal flare-up in the state. "This is our track record", he stated.

Naidu had a one-to-one discussion with Vajpayee for 15 minutes following a one-hour luncheon meeting at which Pramod Mahajan, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Jaswant Singh and three TDP leaders were also present. He also had separate discussions with Home Minister L K Advani, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha and host of other Union ministers like Industry, Railways and Commerce.

Naidu evaded a reply when repeatedly asked if Vajpayee had formally invited the TDP to join the government. But he admitted that it had been discussed. Similarly, he refused to give a straight answer to Vajpayee’s statement in Lucknow earlier this weekthat talks were on with the TDP on joining the government. Naidu did not deny this but only said the TDP was "not interested".