Chandrababu Naidu hugs UPA to 'save democracy'

Even as regional compulsions virtually forced Mayawati-led BSP, Akhilesh-led SP and Mamata-led TMC to eject out of the Congress-led United front, former NDA ally TDP's leader Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday waged fresh attempts on a war-footing to forge opposition unity to take on the BJP.

On a meeting spree with Opposition leaders, Naidu met Congress president Rahul Gandhi at his residence to chart out a unity under a broad framework that he referred to as "a democratic compulsion to save the nation and save democracy" without getting into the past.

"We are coming to work together to defend India, our institutions and democracy. We have had a past as you mentioned. Both of us agreed we will not get into the past. It is critical for the country because of the situation of the country, what is happening," said Rahul Gandhi briefing the media with Naidu by his side.

Seconding Gandhi, Naidu said the principle idea is to defeat BJP and save country's institutions for which Congress, as the principal opposition party, and all opposition parties are necessary.

"Defending institutions primary, everything else secondary. It is very clear that corruption has taken place in the Rafale deal. An inquiry will make everything clear," said Naidu.

Before meeting the Congress president, Naidu separately met veteran political leaders Sharad Pawar and Farooq Abdullah to outline a common minimum programme (CMP) for an anti-BJP front.

Both the leaders tasked Naidu to reach out to all other opposition leaders and convene a bigger meeting on the issue. Briefing the media, Pawar said there has been an assault on national institutions such as Central Bureau of Investigation and Reserve Bank of India and the circumstances need a collective assessment of opposition parties.

"The situation is deteriorating day by day and in this situation, Chandrababu Naidu and Farooq ji said we should assess the situation and collectively take up the cause. The cause and mission will save the country and save democracy," Pawar said.

Describing present time as the greatest crisis India has faced, NC chief Abdullah said, "Today, democracy is in danger. That is why we all met and as Sharadji has said, we will work out a common minimum programme. After convening a meeting with other leaders you will hear what has been achieved."

Naidu also met former BJP leader Arun Shourie, SP patriarch Mulayam Singh and his son Akhilesh Yadav and RLD chief Ajit Singh to discuss the basic contours of the CMP and united front.

Last week, Naidu had met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Mayawati, and Loktantrik Janata Dal founder Sharad Yadav to rally support for an anti-BJP front.