New Delhi: Amid speculation that his party was moving closer to BJP, TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu today did not rule out returning to NDA fold.
Naidu, who had met BJP President Rajnath Singh yesterday, said that under the Congress rule "nation is in crisis" and whenever such a situation occurred, his party has played a "positive role."
The former NDA convener, who concluded his two-day visit to the national capital today, however, said this was not time to discuss politics as Andhra Pradesh was in "disaster" as UPA government was treating the issue of division of the state as an "internal affair" of Congress.
"...Nation is in crisis. Our state is in disaster. As an economic reformer, I initiated economic reforms (as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh). At that time (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee was Prime Minister....Today, there is frustration. Total economy has collapsed. No roads, no employment... Whenever there was a crisis, TDP has always played a positive role," Naidu said.
"Now, we have to play a positive role," the TDP chief said noting that his party had played a crucial role directly or indirectly in forming three governments -- National Front, United Front and NDA -- at the Centre.
Asked whether he would be the convenor of NDA or third front after the 2014 elections, Naidu said, "This is not the time to discuss politics...There is a national crisis. I have played positive role so many times in national politics."
TDP will play positive politics at the national stage after the current crisis in Andhra Pradesh gets over, he said.
Naidu, however, did not react to a question as to whether his party would support Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister.
His statement assumes significance as BJP is scouting for partners for pre-poll and post-poll alliances in a bid to expand NDA.
Naidu and the BJP chief had yesterday held an almost hour- long closed-door meeting at Singh's residence here.
Naidu highlighted achievements of non-Congress governments particularly those headed by NDA parties which strongly pushed for economic reforms and brought IT revolution in the country.
He said foreign companies including Microsoft had plans to set up office in Hyderabad, which was developed as a world class business hub by his government 10 years ago.
The TDP chief, who met CPI leader A B Bardhan and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav today, said he had briefed the leaders on the current situation in Andhra Pradesh arising after Telangana state creation announcement. He had met CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat yesterday.
When it was pointed out that he had supported Telangana cause earlier and was taking 'U' turn on the issue now, he said, "I have taken 'P' turn -- people's turn.
Naidu, who met President Pranab Mukherjee and sought his intervention to find an amicable solution to the problem of division of Andhra Pradesh to create Telangana state, said Congress was creating problems in Andhra Pradesh for their political gains.
"For political gains, Congress has played havoc and they have created problems also," he said and alleged that Congress and TRS were hand in glove in creating problems in Andhra Pradesh.
He also criticised Congress' alleged move for patch up with YSR Congress headed by Jaganmohan Reddy in Seemandhra region after the Lok Sabha polls.
"Because of all these things, for the last two years in Telangana, there were agitations, people committed suicides and bandhs were organised for so many days in Telangana," he added.
