TDP noncommittal on joining NDA

The N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party on Saturday remained noncommittal on the issue of joining a future National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, saying its politburo would discuss the question in the post-poll scenario.

"In view of the political situation, the politburo will discuss the issue," Naidu told reporters when asked whether it would 'review' its decision of remaining an outside supporter of the Vajpayee government after the polls in view of the prime minister's renewed plea.

The Andhra Pradesh chief minister initially maintained that the politburo had already made it clear that the party would not join the government at the Centre but later said the politburo would discuss the issue.

Slamming the exit polls projections predicting doom for his party in the state assembly polls and a hung House in the Lok Sabha polls, Naidu said, "Exit polls and the exact polls are very different. All predictions will prove wrong. We will form the government in the state and NDA will form the government at the Centre."

Naidu said the exit polls have 'harmed the nation as the economy suffered to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore, which was the money of small investors' due to a crash in the Sensex.

Observing that the present exit polls were not scientific and not credible, Naidu cited the example of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh where pollsters had predicted the return of Congress governments last November. He disagreed with the view that the large turnout in the polls in the state would go against the ruling party. He said it was a "pro-establishment vote" and not anti-incumbency.