Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday dismissed the appeal made by his Telangana counterpart A Revanth Reddy to support INDIA bloc candidate Justice B Sudarshan Reddy in the upcoming Vice-Presidential elections.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Naidu said the TDP has always stood for Telugu self-respect and pride, but asserted that it was wrong to link this sentiment with the Vice-Presidential elections.
“NDA’s Vice-Presidential candidate C. P. Radhakrishnan is a person worthy of the nation’s respect,” he said.
Naidu explained that since the NDA partner parties had chosen Radhakrishnan as their nominee, the TDP’s support naturally lies with the NDA.
“If a Telugu candidate has a genuine chance of winning, then that candidate should be nominated. But the INDIA bloc is fielding a candidate with no chance of success, only for political drama. When we are with the NDA, how can we support the opposition’s candidate?” he asked.
The chief minister further stressed that the Vice-President’s post is highly prestigious and should not be reduced to political one-upmanship.
“It is not right for the opposition to field another candidate. When the NDA has a clear majority, is there any need for a contest in this election?” he questioned.
