DMK rules out support to NDA, TRS keeps options open

Supporting Mr. Modi would be a "tough decision" , says DMK

Amid Bharatiya Janata Party’’s readiness to welcome new allies, Telangana Rashtra Samiti on Thursday kept its options open on support even as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ruled out backing Narendra Modi-led NDA government because of the “stigma” of 2002 riots.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rashid Alvi came up with a new suggestion that regional secular parties should come together under the leadership of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to keep BJP out of power.

A day after BJD and AIADMK made clear that their options were open on the issue of support, TRS, a major party of the newly-formed Telangana state, gave similar indications.

“As a new state (Telangana) has come into being, we would want the union government to be extremely supportive of Telangana. What will happen tomorrow, we don’t know. I cannot answer hypothetical questions,” K T Rama Rao, senior TRS leader and son of party chief K Chandrashekhar Rao said over phone.

He was responding when referred to some reports that TRS may not back NDA.

“The Parliamentary and Legislative Committee of the party will take a decision on the issue (of support) at 12 pm a day after tomorrow,” Mr. Rao added.

DMK, on the other hand, was categorical in ruling out support to Modi-led government.

“We have minorities on our side and Modi has the stigma of 2002 riots. Hence, we cannot support NDA keeping in view our interest in our state,” party spokesperson T K S Elangovan said.

He added that supporting Mr. Modi would be a “tough decision” for DMK as it wants to back only a “secular government” at the Centre.