Insecure Chandrababu’s Volte Face on Backing YSRCP’s No Trust Vote

In what could be seen as a U-turn, unsurprisingly characteristic of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, there seems to be a change in his stance over moving the no-confidence motion against NDA government. It's worth mentioning here that last night the AP CM had stated that he would back the no-trust vote that would be moved by the YSR Congress Party MPs in the Parliament today. However, this morning Chandrababu has started singing a different tune altogether. Feeling insecure over YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy getting all the credit by wresting the initiative by moving a no-trust vote against the NDA over Special Category Status to AP, Chandrababu today says that his party would move the no-confidence motion against the Centre after announcing his party was pulling out of BJP-led NDA. In a statement, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) confirmed the move and said that TDP has decided to quit NDA, and the decision was unanimously taken by party politburo.

It is learned that during the teleconference, Naidu said that the party should move the motion on its own instead of supporting that of any other's, including by their rival YSR Congress Party.

The party also gave a separate no-confidence notice against the Centre in Lok Sabha. According to latest reports, Telugu Desam MP Thota Narasimham submitted a no-confidence notice to Lok Sabha secretary general Snehlata Srivastava against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Earlier, Naidu's party had decided to support YSR Congress Party's motion against the Modi government in the Parliament. However, after a meeting of the TDP members, they decided to give a separate no-confidence motion. Political circles are abuzz with talks that Chandrababu had to pull the plug after he realised the growing popularity of YS Jagan.

It may be recalled that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy sent out notices to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General about his party moving a no-confidence motion against the Centre over not granting Special Category Status that was promised at the time of AP bifurcation. The YSRCP MPs also met leaders from several parties yesterday seeking support for today's no confidence motion. Media reports too stated that with the entire political fraternity agreeing to back the YSRCP move, the TDP had little choice but to give in. There were also reports that Chandrababu would back YSRCP's no-confidence motion in the Parliament. However, in a latest development Chandrababu has been interacting with his partymen in Delhi via teleconference and is also expected to hold a politburo meeting. And now, he is making it look as if it was his decision to move the no-trust vote against the government and that the TDP will move the motion on its own to get Special Category Status to AP. Chandrababu’s latest move reflects his insecurity as well as his chameleon-like brand of politics for which he is known.