Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, who hosted the conclave of seven other parties that launched a new Front on Wednesday, feels that regional parties are poised to play a major role in the Indian political system.
Speaking to media persons after the conclave, Naidu said, "In the past, the 'so-called' Congress used to say regional parties are anti-national. Today, all national parties are unable to fulfill the aspirations. More or less, they have (themselves) become regional parties. Before the last general election, the Congress leaders made it clear that they wanted to form the government on their own. Today, it is with the support of regional parties that they have formed the coalition government."
"The future lies with the coalition governments and regional parties are going to play major role in coalition governments. At the same time, regional parties have given better leadership and also fulfilled the aspirations of people. This is what is happening. This is because there are very strong regional leaders," he said.
Naidu said, "Anywhere, if people see an alternative to the Congress and BJP, they prefer it. Any government that is formed (at the Centre) is supported by regional parties. Any coalition government -- National Democratic Alliance or United Progressive Alliance or for that matter the United Front -- were formed with the support of regional parties."
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnethra Kazhagam leader Vaiko echoed similar feelings. "The (positive) role of regional parties will strengthen democracy as also the federal set-up in India. The future of India will be decided by the role played by regional parties. This is going to be a reality."
The parties also vowed to "jointly and unitedly fight against political vendetta" against former chief ministers and their associates by their political rivals who are now in power.
Naidu said "In a democracy, governments may come and go. At the same time, they cannot use their influence for vengeance (against political rivals). It is very unfortunate. We condemn such incidents not only in Tamil Nadu but also in other places. Wherever governments behave like that, all of us will jointly fight against this type of vendetta.
"In Tamil Nadu, the (DMK) government has given notices against the AIADMK office building. They have even given notices to demolish that office building. There were rumours that income tax officials are raiding Jayalalithaa's house and other premises. This is a clear indication of political vendetta. All of us condemn this incident," Naidu said."
Jayalalithaa said, "In view of these rumours, a large number of party workers gathered at my house. We also had a large posse of police personnel posted there. There has been lot of victimisation and political vendetta ever since the new government took over in Tamil Nadu."
"Similar situation prevails in Andhra Pradesh and other states. There is an unhealthy trend in the country of trying to politically victimise those who have been part of former governments, especially former chief ministers and their associates. These are nothing but politically motivated acts of revenge. We have decided that we should condemn such politics of vengeance. We will stand by each other," she added.
Jayalalithaa pointed out, "Innumerable cases have been foisted on me since 1996. So far, I have been acquitted in 12 cases. I have been declared innocent by the courts. I will continue fighting these cases."
Naidu pointed out that the Andhra Pradesh government has also issued a notice to Jayalalithaa about the land she has on the outskirts of Hyderabad. "She purchased that land 40 years back. It was private land then. The government notice is only to victimise her. It is very clear that it is a politically motivated notice. In fact, the notice does not have clarity.
"The government claims that it was assigned land that was given to the poor. But the land was purchased before the Land Assignment Act had even been enforced. It is self-contradictory. They are playing a game of political vendetta. We totally condemn it," he said.
"We will fight it legally. We will fight it in the courts," Jayalalithaa added.
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