Parkash Singh Badal calls on fasting Chandrababu Naidu, extends SAD support

NEW DELHI: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called on fasting TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu at Andhra Bhawan here and expressed concern over his deteriorating health.

Badal extended full support to Naidu's protest against the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and reiterated his party Shiromani Akali Dal's firm stand on opposing the "anti- people and anti-poor" policies of the UPA government.

He alleged that the Congress leadership was bent upon putting peace, communal harmony and integrity of the country in peril for the sake of its narrow political ambitions.

The decision to split AP was "politically motivated", Badal said.

"I have come to show complete solidarity with Naidu. I have great respect for the leader who has contributed a lot in making AP a leading state in the country," Badal told reporters.

"I will also caution against the clever planning by Congress because I cannot say what they will do. They want to keep all sides happy and may prolong the decision (on the bifurcation)," he said.

Asked whether he wanted the proposed split to be deferred, Badal told reporters that Congress should consult the various stakeholders in the matter as the bifurcation decision was politically motivated.

Badal and Naidu share a good rapport as SAD and TDP were part of the NDA under Atal Behari Vajpayee. Badal also recalled the long association between SAD and TDP since former AP Chief Minister NT Rama Rao's era.

Talking about next year's Lok Sabha polls, Badal said the people had made up their minds to show UPA government the door to pave the way for a BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

Naidu is on an indefinite hunger strike since Monday at Andhra Bhawan here against the Centre's decision to go ahead with the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.