Amit Shah confers with Chandrababu Naidu, Akali Dal leaders

With NDA allies expressing serious concerns over lack of coordination and communication within the ruling alliance, BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday held meetings with key allies Telugu Desam (TDP) and Akali Dal (SAD). Mr Shah will also hold a meeting with the Shiv Sena and other allies in the coming days. The allies had also objected to the ruling party not keeping them in the loop over key government initiatives. They also discussed strategy for the coming Budget Session of Parliament.

At the meeting convened by senior BJP leader and parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday ahead of the coming Budget Session, the SAD and the Shiv Sena had voiced concern over the “lack of coordination” in the NDA.

Mr Shah met TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu in the morning. In the evening, the BJP president met SAD leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Naresh Gujral and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. The Assembly elections are scheduled in Punjab next year, which is currently ruled by the SAD-BJP government.

When asked about the issue flagged by the two allies, Mr Naidu downplayed the issue of lack of coordination but said that some states and parties may have some concerns which can be discussed in one-on-one meetings like this.

He said larger national and political issues should be discussed in the NDA meeting, while state and party-specific matters can be raised in such discussions.