2019 general elections: Naidu meets Rahul and discusses new front


New Delhi: TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu today met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and discussed firming up an anti-BJP front to keep the ruling party out of power after poll results are declared 23 May.

Before meeting the Congress chief, Naidu, spearheading an effort to cobble up an anti-BJP front, met CPI leaders Sudhakar Reddy and D Raja.

He was scheduled to meet NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and LJD leader Sharad Yadav in the national capital later in the day.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister is also scheduled to meet BSP chief Mayawati and SP president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow in the evening.

In an hour-long meeting with Rahul, sources said, Naidu discussed the pressing need to bring together all parties that are against the BJP, after the Lok Sabha election results are declared.

Sources said Naidu also told Rahul to have a strategy ready in case the BJP falls short of numbers and still stakes claim to form the government.

The AP CM is also in touch with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee over phone on this issue, the sources added.

On Friday, Naidu had said not only the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) but any outfit against the BJP is welcome to join a grand alliance after results are declared.

He had also met AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as well as CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechuri on the matter.