Chandrababu Naidu declares support to NDA, attends meeting
text_fieldsNew Delhi: Chandrababu Naidu made it clear on Wednesday that he is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to form the NDA government on Saturday.
His assertion comes amidst speculations of INDIA bloc leaders wooing him to join their camp, NDTV reported.
After the BJP fell short of 32 seats to form the government on its own, Naidu emerged as the kingmaker with immense political gravity.
Naidu joined other NDA partners to meet at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence yesterday.
When asked if he is part of NDA, Naidu reacted: "How can we contest elections if we are not a part of the NDA? We fought this collectively. I don't know why you have a doubt."
The BJP 240 seats in the 543-member Parliament crossed the 272 mark with the seats of its allies reaching 293 seats, while the INDIA pulled off an impressive 234 seats.
The attendance of Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal United chief Nitish Kumar at the NDA meeting suggested PM Modi will take oath on Saturday.
The leaders are learned to have given written support to PM Modi in the wake of speculations that the Opposition leaders are wooing them to form government.
Other NDA leaders present at the meeting include Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy, Janasena's Pawan Kalyan, LJP's Chirag Paswan and NCP's Praful Patel. NDA meeting chose PM Modi as the leader of the alliance.