The Rediff Interview/Nara Chandrababu Naidu

'Why should I be scared of the BJP?'

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and United front convenor Nara Chandrababu Naidu is accused of betraying H D Deve Gowda whose replacement as UF leader he sought on Sunday, after declaring all of last week that that option was not on the Front's agenda.

Despite his busy schedule, Naidu spared some time to answer Rediff On The NeT's M S Shanker questions on the UF leadership issue. Excerpts from the conversation:

Why did the Federal Front concede Congress president Sitaram Kesri's demand that the UF leader be changed?

We had to take this decision with a heavy heart. Not that we want Deve Gowda to go. I happen to be the convenor of the United Front and it was in the best interests of the country that we took such a decision. A poor nation like ours cannot afford to go to the polls every year. Moreover, if such a thing has to happen, then a communal party like the BJP may take maximum advantage of the situation.

Does it mean that regional parties like your Telugu Desam are scared of the BJP making inroads in your support base?

No, that's not true. In Andhra Pradesh the BJP has no roots. Why should I be scared of that party?

But the BJP is aligned with the TDP-NTR faction led by Lakshmi Sivaparvati in Andhra Pradesh.

It's better to talk the least about that party. You know their performance in the last Lok Sabha or recent assembly by-elections? They drew a blank. So, better not give credence to them. Their very existence is questionable.

Many feel you are scared of facing the electorate afresh as your government has had to review some of NTR's policies such as the Rs 2 a kilo rice scheme, subsidised power tariff to farmers and, of course, lifting of 'total prohibition'.

Hold on.... You can be rest assured that the people of my state understand the problems that my party has had to confront. By increasing the price of subsidised rice from Rs 2 a kilo to Rs 3.50 and the power tariff to the agriculture sector from Rs 50 to Rs 100, the heavens haven't fallen. Similarly, my government felt no point in pursuing with the prohibition policy which has become humanly impossible to implement. For the overall development of the state, we have had to make some sacrifices.

You repeatedly assured the people that Deve Gowda will not be made a sacrificial goat. But that is what he has become now.

There is no other option left before us to save the nation as well as the UF to stay united.

Would the United Front have disintegrated if Deve Gowda failed to step down?

One cannot rule out such a possibility. (He excused himself from a discussion on the issue.).

When did you realise that Deve Gowda had to go "to save the country"?

After talking to my Federal Front partners.

So the Janata Dal, the major constituent of the UF, had to toe the Federal Front line?

You can draw your own conclusions. I shall not say anything to that effect.

Are you sure that the Congress will not pull down the new government?

We shall take some concrete assurances from the Congress.

Are you in the race for prime ministership?

No.

Why?

I have my own priorities. I am more keen to develop my own state. At the same time I shall not shirk my responsibility in contributing my mite to the nation whenever it is required.

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