New Delhi: Asserting that there is no conflict among NDA allies, Telugu Desam Party MP and Union minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the TDP does not think that the Modi government relies on the party for its survival.
The Minister of State (MoS) for Rural Development and Communications said the entire TDP is extremely happy with how the alliance is going. He said the Centre has been extending all help to Andhra Pradesh too, where the TDP is in power in alliance with the BJP and Pawan Kalytan’s Janasena Party.
With just 16 Lok Sabha seats, the TDP is the second largest constituent of the NDA after the BJP which has 240 MPs. The support of TDP, and also JD(U) which has 12 MPs, is crucial for the health of the NDA government at the Centre.
“We don’t consider that the Modi government is relying on the TDP, you know. I mean at least in our view, you know, we were part of the alliance even before the elections. People might be thinking like that but we don’t feel that way,” Pemmasani told ThePrint in an interview when asked about the TDP’s crucial role in the alliance and the BJP’s reliance on his party.
Pemmasani said TDP ministers work in tandem with the BJP. “Because at the end of the day it is a progressive government, developmental-oriented government”.
“So far, I have not seen any conflicts that we want to do differently than what Modi ji wanted,” he asserted.
In Andhra Pradesh too, Pemmasani said, the coalition government is focused on ensuring overall development of the state and fulfilling its mandate.
“Absolutely going well (the coalition). You know, we are not only in coalition with BJP but also with the Jana (Janasena) Party. You know, all these—all three parties are working together and Modi ji has supported quite a bit for Andhra development,” Pemmasani said, citing how the Modi government has provided grants for the Amravati project and helped fulfill the dreams of Polaram railway zone.
“A lot of railway developmental projects have been initiated overall. You know, we were in a much worse situation when we took the government, but without the Centre’s support, we would not have been able to implement all the welfare schemes that we wanted and all the developmental programs that we wanted. So all in all, actually the entire TDP is extremely happy with the association,” he added.
Pemmasani, a first-time MP and minister, also shared his experience of working in an NDA government, saying there is freedom within the NDA cabinet and the alliance coordination is strong.
Describing the TDP’s relation with their ally Pawan Kalyan in Andhra Pradesh, Pemmasani said both Kalyan and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu understand the importance of unity because otherwise the opposition might take an advantage.
He said the two leaders resolve amicably any issue that arises within the alliance.
Sharing his experience of being part of the NDA alliance, Pemmasani said, “For the last 25 years, I worked in the private industry. I have two very good experienced cabinet ministers Scindia ji and Chouhan ji. They both are quite supportive. We all share work. Even though there is a lot of work, I think we are able to make significant changes in both portfolios that were allotted to me,” he added.
Pemmasani also came down heavily on former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy for what he said was initiating a culture of political abuse during his tenure.
Days after actor-turned-politician and TDP MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna sparked controversy by calling Reddy a “psycho” in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Pemmasani asserted that such language should be avoided, but alleged that the culture of political abuse in the state was initiated by Reddy.
“Andhra Pradesh’s political abuse culture began with Jagan Reddy…as leaders, we must rise above it. Public service demands dignity and restraint,” he said.
When asked how Andhra Pradesh politics has become bitter over a period of time, Pemmasani termed it an “unfortunate situation”, but maintained his stance that Jagan Mohan Reddy was responsible for this.
He promotes such kinds of people all day, the TDP MP added. “Whether you are talking to press, media, social media, this entire filthy language was introduced into public life. So that is the start of it.”
Several chief ministers have served Andhra Pradesh, but never was such language used by them and none of them crossed boundaries, the TDP minister said.
“The way Jagan behaved is what led to these kinds of retaliative words. Having said that, I still don’t agree… just because the opposite parties have done and used this kind of filthy language, the TDP should be using that kind of language. So, I do not support anybody, including myself. In my entire political campaign I have never disrespected Jagan Mohan Reddy,” said Pemmasani.
“In my view, I also don’t support using that kind of language,” he added.
Pemmasani also criticised Jagan for stalling the Amaravati project, stating that “Reddy’s tenure was marked by deliberate sabotage as he stalled the Amaravati project,” which the current government has now expedited.
When asked that in the past many MoSes have raised the issue of not being assigned much work and not getting good opportunities, the TDP MP said he enjoys a lot of freedom when it comes to working at the centre.
“I mean, I hear that too (MoSes not getting opportunities), but I think it comes both ways in my view. Initially, that might be the case for a lot of people. But if you are proactive, you are working sincerely with integrity, and you are bringing a lot to the table in your problem-solving and ensuring the boundaries are well maintained between the Cabinet minister and the MoS, I don’t think there will be any problem, at least in my case. But as I said earlier, both ministers have given extreme freedom,” he added.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: How ‘troublemaker’ TDP MLAs are irking Naidu, giving YSRCP ammo to target ruling NDA