New Delhi: Nara Lokesh, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary and son of Andhra Pradesh chief minister designate Chandrababu Naidu, has said that the reservations provided to Muslims is not appeasement but for “social justice” to bring them out of poverty and will continue in the state. Notably, the TDP is a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it is set to form the third Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.
“It (reservation for Muslims) has been going around for the last two decades and we stand by it. We intend to continue it,” said Lokesh in an interview with NDTV on Friday (June 7).
“It’s a fact that the minorities continue to suffer and that they have the lowest per capita income. As a government, it is my responsibility to bring them out of poverty. So whatever decisions I take are not for appeasement, but to bring them out of poverty. In my constituency I discussed this. We want to create a training centre, expose them to opportunities that the world has to offer so that they can come out of this poverty.
“If you want to make our nation a developed nation, we cannot leave anyone behind. We should do it together and there is a great opportunity to do it. It has been the trademark of the TDP, to take everyone together,” he added.
While canvassing for the elections, Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi led an all-out communal campaign against Indian Muslims and accused the Opposition Congress of promising in its manifesto that the rights of SC/ST/OBCs will be snatched and given to Muslims. He also claimed that reservations on the basis of religion will never be provided in his lifetime. Modi also attacked Opposition ruled-states like Karnataka where Muslims are provided reservations on the basis of their socio-economic backwardness.
A total of 14 states and union territories have provided reservations to Muslims under the central OBC list.
Now, with the BJP falling short of a majority, winning 240 seats, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it is having to rely on its allies from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form the government where both the TDP and the Janata Dal (United) hold the key to government formation.
In Andhra Pradesh, the NDA has won a total of 21 of the 25 seats; the TDP has won 16 seats, the BJP three and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) two.
While speculations have been rife that the Naidu-led TDP has demanded significant ministries and the position of the Lok Sabha speaker, Lokesh said that his party is “not negotiating any posts”.
“TDP never negotiates when it comes for post, we only negotiate for funds for the state. We don’t ask for ministries. Our interest is the state’s interest,” he said.
“Strong states make strong nations. We want to be part of a five-trillion dollar economy dream. We believe that Andhra alone can be a one-trillion economy. Look forward to working with NDA.”
