TDP swiftly changed its strategy

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) swiftly changed its strategy to be adopted in Parliament during the monsoon session, with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan admitting the no-trust motion against the Narendra Modi government on Wednesday.

TDP national president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked Finance Minister and TDP Polit Bureau member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu to fly to Delhi immediately to discuss and guide the MPs on issues that need to be raised in the House when the motion is taken up for discussion. He has been asked to stay put in Delhi until the end of the discussion on the no-trust motion.Earlier in the day, Mr. Naidu asked the MPs through teleconference, “to go to any extent ” to draw the attention of the nation to the non-fulfilment of many of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act. “Don’t step back even if you are suspended from the House,” he told the MPs.

He held an ‘unscheduled review meeting’ with officials on issues relating to the Reorganisation Act, dues from the Centre to the State, affidavits filed by the Union government in the Supreme Court etc. He directed them to get reports and backgrounders immediately to facilitate the MPs argue the State’s case in an effective manner.He said the Speaker might allocate 10 hours for discussion. The MPs would have to focus on the provisions of the reorganisation Act and the Prime Minister’s assurances. The TDP will get a chance to speak after Narendra Modi addresses the Lok Sabha as ‘right to reply.’ Three MPs might get a chance to speak. “If time doesn’t permit, written speeches have to be handed over to the Chair as they will get into Lok Sabha records,” he told the MPs.

Mr. Naidu plans to ask his MPs to recount the speeches Union Ministers made while laying foundation-stones for various projects. In addition, Mr. Modi’s speech in the Lok Sabha on February 7, 2018, would also be recollected.Some of these suggestions are believed to have been given by former Congress MP Undavalli Arun Kumar when he met the CM.

Implementation of assurances given in Parliament, funds released towards bridging the revenue deficit, capital city, Dugarajapatnam port, Kadapa steel plant, Visakhapatnam railway zone, and tribal university that were part of the reorganisation Act would be raised.