PM backs Venkaiah for BJP chief post

He will be formally appointed at the national council session scheduled for February 6. Naidu, who launched the party’s informal election campaign at the Vithalbhai Patel House later, called upon people to free the country of the ‘‘dynastic rule’’ (of the Nehru-Gandhi family). ‘‘The time has come to rid the country of the dynasty,’’ he said.

On comments by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka that the feel-good factor was not visible, Naidu said the BJP’s popularity was a ‘‘feel-bad’’ factor for the Congress.

‘‘Some people went to Amethi and said there is no feel-good factor. But people are happy with our governance. It is feel-good for us but feel-bad for them.’’

Sonia Gandhi was ‘‘knocking on every door’’ to seek allies, he said, while the opposition was shying from naming its leader like a ‘‘coy bride feeling shy to name her husband’’.

‘‘But till recently she felt coalition politics was taboo. Now she is herself treading the coalition path,’’ he said referring to Congress’ tie-up efforts with DMK, BSP and LJP.

‘‘Ever since Vajpayee has become the PM, things have started looking up. Problems in Kashmir, Assam and other parts of the North-east which arose due to neglect of the region by the Congress are being resolved,’’ he said.

After free and fair Assembly polls in J-K, talks have been initiated with the Hurriyat. ‘‘We will not rest till the last terrorist is driven out and Pandits return home. There is no question of backtracking.’’