Hyderabad: Coming out strongly in support of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's "Bharat Uday" yatra, the TDP (Telugu Desam Party) supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today (Mar 13, 2004) hinted at his party's participation in the yatra when it passes through the State next week.

"What is wrong in sharing the platform (with Advani during the yatra)? This yatra is focussed on developmental issues," Naidu said.

To a specific question whether he would join the yatra, Naidu said, "We will sit and discuss with BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leadership and take a decision. There is nothing wrong in our participation at one or two places."

Naidu, whose TDP is a key outside supporter of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government at the Centre, asserted that there was nothing wrong in undertaking the yatra as it was totally focussed on developmental issues.

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

Apparently keeping in view the apprehensions in some quarters that Advani's yatra might trigger communal trouble, Naidu hastened to add that his party was "totally committed to secularism" and its credentials were proved "beyond doubt so many times" in the past.