Andhra illegal mines: Naidu finds no takers in BJP

Telugu Desam party chief Chandrababu Naidus attempts to reach out to the BJP to secure its support for his campaign against illegal iron ore mining in Andhra Pradesh....

Telugu Desam party chief Chandrababu Naidus attempts to reach out to the BJP to secure its support for his campaign against illegal iron ore mining in Andhra Pradesh carried out allegedly by a company owned the Reddy brothers has been spurned by the main Opposition party. Not surprising since the Reddy brothers are ministers in the B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP government in Karnataka.

Sources said Naidu wanted to meet either L K Advani or Arun Jaitley to discuss the issue with them and had sent feelers to the BJP through RLD chief Ajit Singh,but the saffron camp refused to oblige.

The BJP,sources in the TDP said,does not want to associate itself in any way with Naidus campaign even though he is attacking the Congress government in the state for facilitating illegal mining and accusing the Centre of remaining a mute spectator.

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With the BJP giving a cold shoulder to Naidu,the all-party meeting,which he is planning to organise next week,would in all likelihood be a congregation of regional parties plus the Left. The TDP chief,attempting to revive his political standing at the national level with this issue,is busy meeting chieftains of the smaller parties that are in the UPA and NDA camps.

Asked about his plans to meet BJP leaders,Naidu said,It may not be useful,as Yeddyurappa and the BJP have totally surrendered before the Reddy brothers. He,however,was open to meeting Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

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