Regional parties assert independence, stress national interest at Hindu Huddle 2026

Leaders of the regional parties have asserted that these parties continue to play a decisive role in shaping India’s political landscape and insisting that their choices are rooted in national interest rather than opportunism.

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On the second day of The Hindu Huddle 2026 on Saturday, Rajya Sabha members Javed Ali Khan (Samajwad Party), Dr. Santrupt Misra (Biju Janata Dal) and former Speaker of united Andhra Pradesh and former BRS Parliamentary leader K.R. Suresh Reddy in conversation with Nistula Hebbar, Political Editor, The Hindu in one voice said there has been growing influence of regional parties.

Mr. Reddy, a senior politician with three decades of political stint as an MLA and MP maintained that his party believed in neutrality and issue-based positions. “We are neither with UPA nor NDA. Our stand depends on national interest. The BRS opposed the Kisan Bill but supported demonetization. We opposed the Waqf Bill. The stance is not political or ideological but fundamentally based on the larger interest of the country,” he pointed out.

He also defended Telangana’s statehood demand pointing out that what didn’t happen in 65 years has happened in the last 10 years. “From a drought‑stricken region, it is today the country’s most prosperous state. Our demand for a separate state was on grounds of water, funds, and jobs,” Mr. Reddy said crediting BRS regime for the all round development.

First time Rajya Sabha member Dr. Santrupt Misra echoed the sentiment of Mr. Suresh Reddy and Mr. Javed Ali stating that growing influence of the regional parties was evident how BJD had performed and secured 182 Lok Sabha seats between 1999 and 2024, and 133 in 2024 alone.

He went on to caution against double standards in coalition politics pointing out that if a coalition aligns with a regional party to form a government, it is seen as pragmatic. “But if I, as a regional party close to people’s issues, choose to align based on national interest, I am accused of being politically convenient,” he observed.

Mr. Misra further cited Odisha’s transformation under Naveen Patnaik as proof of issue‑based leadership. “From a bankrupt state in 2000 became revenue surplus in 2024 because he was not serving BJD’s interest but the people’s interest,” he said. On One Nation One Election urged caution. “The first five–five elections were simultaneous. The question is whether it strengthens or weakens democracy, whether local issues get neglected, whether assembly terms get reduced. Every national issue that impacts the Constitution and people’s lives must be debated in detail,” he remarked.

Mr. Suresh Reddy supported One Nation, One Election (ONOE). “Constant elections are not in the larger interest of the nation. Like Odisha, which voted one party to Parliament and another to the State, we are confident of the electorate,” confidently declared.

Mr. Javed Ali Khan of the Samajwadi Party took a dig at the Congress saying that it is now reduced to a regional party, even though they are our allies. “We are a regional party in terms of Election Commission, but are a national party in terms of ideology,” he said.

The Hindu Huddle is presented by the Sami-Sabinsa Group as the Presenting Partner. The event is co-powered by the Government of Telangana and held in association with Khaja Bandanawaz University.

The event is further supported by Bank of Baroda, Larsen & Toubro, Apollo Hospitals, IIM Sirmaur, ICFAI Group, TAFE, Wizzmon, Uttarakhand Government, Associate Partners; Casagrand, Realty Partner; Toyota, Luxury Car Partner; Amity University Bengaluru, University Partner; Harrow International School Bengaluru, Education Partner; Meghalaya Tourism, State Partner; and NDTV 24×7, TV Partner.