TDP turns the heat on Govt in RS debate

TDP turns the heat on Govt in RS debate
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 18: The NDA's key allies, especially the Telugu Desam Party, today used the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Prime Minister's controversial remarks to virtually put the Government on notice.

While the DMK was a little soft on the Prime Minister and the BJP, TDP MP C Ramachandraiah minced no words in giving vent to his party's ire over the Prime Minister's controversial remarks.

In a hard-hitting speech, the TDP lambasted the PM and his party ``for kicking up this unnecessary controversy.'' Ramachandraiah said: ``We had to choose between the devil and the deep sea and we chose the deep sea because we know how to swim to the shore...We want to warn the Government that if there is any deviation from the NDA agenda, it will be not only betraying its allies but the entire nation...please don't do it.''

``We must remind the Prime Minister that his party is not in the absolute majority...we would like to place on record in the House that we will desert the NDA the day the common agenda is violated,'' Ramachandraiah asserted.

The TDP MP's speech, which was eagerly awaited more by the Opposition benches than the treasury, was heard in rapt silence.

For the embarrassed NDA ally, it was an opportunity to drive home the message to the BJP. ``It is not that we are helpless or have no other option...we extended support to the NDA in the larger interest of the nation and only on the condition that controversial issues will be put on the backburner.'' he said.

Holding the PM's controversial statements responsible for creating unnecessary problems, the TDP MP also wondered aloud whether his party would allow him to stick to his subsequent clarification and commitment to the Lok Sabha. ``I request the PM to advise his ministers and party members not to speak out of turn...their statements are giving us apprehensions,'' he said, referring to the subsequent remarks of BJP president Bangaru Laxman.

Ramachandraiah also took umbrage to what he claimed was a veiled ``threat'' by the PM that the BJP was prepared to go to the polls. ``Is this a threat...we are not scared we too are ready to go to the polls...it is for the BJP and the Opposition to decide.''

DMK member PN Siva, however, was soft on the Government, giving it a clean chit. ``The DMK never tolerated communalism and we are with the NDA Government only because it has put a moratorium on contentious issues,'' he said.

But TDP member K M Saifullah made things difficult for the Government by saying its remote control was in the hands of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Trinamool Congress and DMK. The moment the Government gives a go-by to the NDA agenda on the Ayodhya issue ``we will also say goodbye to the Government'' he announced.