Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday laid to rest any doubts about his party's affiliation with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, emphasizing his unwavering support for the NDA, the day after Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party lost its outright majority in parliament in a surprise election verdict.
"You always want news. I am experienced and I have seen several political changes in this country. We are in the NDA, and I’m going to the NDA meeting," Naidu told the media.
With the BJP falling short of an absolute majority, the support of regional parties like the TDP has become pivotal in India’s political landscape.
The NDA won 293 seats, more than 20 ahead of the 272 needed to form a government, but Narendra Modi would now have to depend on disparate regional parties whose political loyalties have wavered over the years.
The opposition INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc led by Rahul Gandhi's Congress party won 230 seats, more than forecast. Congress alone won 99, almost double the 52 it won in 2019.
BJP’s fickle friends Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu now kingmakersNitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav head for Delhi on same flight
Meanwhile, all eyes are also on Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), another crucial partner of the NDA. Kumar, who serves as chief minister of Bihar, is expected to play a significant role.
Kumar and his political rival Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) were spotted on the same flight to Delhi for separate meetings. While Kumar was to attend a crucial NDA meeting, Yadav headed for an INDIA alliance gathering, raising eyebrows and sparking speculations in political circles.
Kumar's JD(U) secured 12 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, contributing to the NDA's tally, while Yadav's RJD, part of the INDIA bloc, won four seats.
