TDP may join Advani yatra

Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday hinted his party would participate in the Bharat Uday Yatra as it passes through the state next week.

On whether he would join the yatra, Naidu said, ''The party will discuss the issue with the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership. There is nothing wrong in our participation at one or two places, as it is based on developmental issues.''

Naidu's party is a key outside supporter of the National Democratic Alliance, which is led by the BJP.

Praising Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee leadership, he said, "Because of his initiatives, relations with neighboring countries, including Pakistan, have improved. Today's India-Pakistan cricket match is because of his initiative."

Keeping in view L K Advani's yatra may trigger off communal tension, Naidu added his party was ''totally committed to secularism.''