Won't go for any alliance in Andhra Pradesh: BJP

NEW DELHI: BJP leaders from Andhra Pradesh today said the party would contest all Assembly and Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections as it was not looking at an alliance with any of TDP, TRS or YSR Congress.

The party's state leaders are in the national capital to press the central BJP leadership about urging the Centre to start discussions on the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

"BJP has decided to go it alone in Andhra Pradesh and will contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats. We are going to contest all seats... We are not looking at any alliance, whether it is TDP or Jagan's YSR Congress. We are not thinking of any alliance today," said K Hari Babu, member of BJP's national Disciplinary Committee.

He said that as a member of the state BJP core committee, he was "not aware of any discussion between BJP and TDP or any other party."

BJP National Executive Committee member Somu Veerraju pointed out that since various parties in Andhra Pradesh had announced they will fight the elections alone, how could BJP think of forming an alliance with them.

Asked if they supported bifurcation of the state, the leaders said, "We are supporting the bifurcation. Government should go ahead with discussions to involve all parties and address all concerns raised by people of different regions."

They said BJP leaders from Seemandhra were in Delhi to meet party leaders like LK Advani, Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley over their doubts and apprehensions regarding the division of the state.

"Concerns have been raised over the safety of the people from Seemandhra in Hyderabad, including the educational and employment opportunities for them.

"Farmers are raising doubts about the sharing of water. There are many concerns like this and we will impress upon the central leadership the need to address these concerns," said Babu.