"Here To Support My Friend Annamalai": TDP's Nara Lokesh Joins BJP's Tamil Nadu Chief At Roadshow

Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India]: In a show of support to the BJP's Tamil Nadu president and the party's Lok Sabha candidate from Coimbatore, K Annamalai, TDP leader Nara Lokesh took part in a joint roadshow with him ahead of the seven-phased general elections.

A former partner in the BJP-led NDA, the TDP, led by Lokesh's father and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, returned to the ruling alliance at the Centre recently.

Confirming the TDP's return to the NDA, BJP national president JP Nadda said the two parties would contest the Lok Sabha elections and the polls to the Andhra assembly, which are to be held in a single phase on May 13, as partners.

Coming out in praise of the BJP's rising poster boy in Tamil Nadu and the South, Lokesh called Annamalai a dynamic and dedicated young leader, who demonstrated a deep understanding of people's issues in the state through his recent padayatra (foot march).

"Annamalai is a rising, young leader. He has shown a deep and clear understanding of the people's issues and is also committed to upholding their interests. He willingly entered the fray (for the Lok Sabha) from a tough seat (Coimbatore).

I am certain that he is going to win this constituency. He left his job as an IPS officer to be in the service of the people of Tamil Nadu. I am sure the people of Tamil Nadu will reciprocate his commitment to their welfare by sending him to the Lok Sabha," Lokesh said.

"I am here in Tamil Nadu to support my friend Annamalai. We exchanged a lot of views and ideas on how to take our respective states forward. For a strong nation, we need to build strong states. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh will together contribute to a strong and assertive country," the TDP general secretary said.

Exuding confidence in the NDA's victory in the upcoming elections, Lokesh added, "The NDA is well on its way to forming the next government at the Centre. There is no doubt that our alliance will go well over 400 in the Lok Sabha elections."

On his party's prospects in the Andhra assembly polls, Lokesh said it will be a 'one-sided election', with the TDP holding all the aces.

In a joint statement earlier, the BJP, TDP and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) of actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan announced that they would fight the Lok Sabha elections and the state polls as partners in the NDA.

Polling for 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu is scheduled to be held in the opening phase of the general elections on April 19.

The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.