New Delhi: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president Deve Gowda, whose party is also a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) claimed in Rajya Sabha on Thursday (February 6) that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was keen to become the vice-chairman of the NDA after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined it.

“In 2024, when Modi ji got 240 seats, Chandrababu Naidu, who supports this government and his Members of Parliament, wanted to become the vice-chairman or chairman of the committee formed by all NDA parties. Modi ji said no, nothing doing. He knows how to run the administration. He has got experience as Prime Minister and as Chief Minister and he is the only tallest leader in the country, who can run the country without any oscillation,” said Deve Gowda during his reply on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, reported The Indian Express.

However, BJP National President J.P. Nadda, who is also the member of the Rajya Sabha, denied the claims made by Deve Gowda.

“Honourable Deve Gowda, who is a partner of NDA and who is a former Prime Minister spoke of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has brought up and discussed one issue regarding Chandrababu Naidu. I want to clarify this issue in my capacity as the party’s president. No such discussion happened in NDA and everyone decided to put their strength behind the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Nadda.

Nadda made the clarification after Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar allowed him to speak after the former Prime Minister’s speech.

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