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TDP not to join BJP govt as another Muslim leader quits

The Telugu Desam Party has ruled out the possibility of joining the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government even as another senior Muslim leader resigned from the party's primary membership.

Former Rajya Sabha member Mohammed Khaleelur Rehman said yesterday that his decision was triggered by the party's support to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Centre.

Rehman alleged that TDP supremo and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu had lost his credibility as the Muslims felt betrayed.

Meanwhile, party general secretary S M Laljan Basha said the BJP government should be allowed to complete its full five-year term. He said the TDP will not join the government.

Basha said it was in the interest of the minorities to support the TDP and the Vajpayee government.

The coalition's national agenda has dropped all controversial issues and the minorities had nothing to fear, he said.

Ruling out the possibility of his resignation from the party, Basha said the best bet for the minorities in Andhra Pradesh was the TDP.

UNI

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