HD Deve Gowda claims Chandrababu Naidu wanted to be NDA vice chairman but Modi declined
Nadda denies any such discussion
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wanted to become the vice chairman of the NDA after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined it, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda has claimed in Rajya Sabha.
However, BJP chief J P Nadda was quick to clarify that no such discussion took place.
Participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address on Thursday, Gowda said, "Chandrababu Naidu, who supports this government with his 16 members, wanted to become the vice chairman or chairman of the alliance, but Modiji did not agree. He knows how to run the administration."
After Gowda concluded his address, Nadda asserted that no such discussion took place.
"As the president of the party, I want to clarify that no such discussion happened in the NDA," Nadda said, adding that everyone accepted the leadership of Modi.
Both the TDP, led by Naidu, and Gowda's JDS are part of the ruling NDA.
According to Gowda, "In the UPA government, there was not only prime minister but also vice-chairman, or what we call the power centre in the political system. The power centre was with the chairman. But, Modiji has not allowed anyone to handle or meddle with the government."
While speaking on the President's address, he said the government has stated that the highest priority is given to the poor, the middle class, the youth, and women.
"To achieve this highest priority, to implement this, and to achieve the prospects of this neglected section, it is necessary to have a stable government that can run for five years," Gowda said.
He added, "Now, with the support of the regional parties like us, with 305 members, this government will run for five years. There is no question of any hesitation. I am not afraid of telling, there is nothing to curry any favour from the prime minister."
Gowda lauded Modi and said that having experience as prime minister and chief minister, he is the only tallest leader in this country who can run it without oscillation.
"I know how Modiji in his 22 years as chief minister, and as prime minister, is running the country, I know. Today, the world has recognised; it is not the question of Deve gowda or X Y Z. The world has recognized Modiji as the tallest leader," he said.
Talking about the water problem in Bengaluru, Gowda said he had "begged" Manmohan Singh to solve it but he said he couldn't.
"It is only Modi ji who can solve the problem. The people of Karnataka - Bengaluru and other districts - are suffering for want of drinking water. I want, in my lifetime, that it should be solved," he said.
HD Deve Gowda: Chandrababu Naidu wanted to become Vice Chairman or Chairman of the NDA Alliance, but Modi disagreed.
— BSN Malleswara Rao (@BSNMalleswarRao) February 6, 2025
దేవెగౌడ: ఎన్డీఏ కూటమికి ఉపాధ్యక్షుడు లేదా అధ్యక్షుడు కావాలని చంద్రబాబు కోరుకున్నారు. కానీ మోడీ అంగీకరించలేదు.@H_D_Devegowda @ncbn @narendramodi @JaiTDP… pic.twitter.com/KRPYwAkWii
BIG NEWS - Former PM H D Deve Gowda claims in Rajya Sabha that CM Chandrababu Naidu was interested to be vice-chairman of NDA but he was refused.
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) February 6, 2025
JP Nadda says that no such discussion took place in NDA. pic.twitter.com/jRypLcJSLH
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
