(Political Desk)

Now, TDP’s decision to give 'talaq' to BJP and exit from NDA appears imminent.  The party president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has dropped enough hints on Saturday to this effect.

Naidu's reaction came after three-hour-long marathod meeting with his party legislators a the Assembly Committee Hall, to seek their opinion.  This had come close on the heels of the Union Finance Ministry's announcement that considering 'special status' to the state is not possible, but promised balance finanial assistance would be released at the earliest.

In fact, it was Naidu who accepted 'financial package' to 'Special Status' promise made at the time of state bifurcation by the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government just before 2014 polls.

Highly placed sources confirm that barring about half a dozen, rest of the MLAs favoured break-up with the BJP.  However, they left the final decision to Naidu.

Emerging from the meeting, Marketing Minister Adinarayana Rao told reporters that it was his personal opinion that the party should bid adieu to the NDA, but in the same breath, added cryptically, “We have set March 5 as deadline for the Centre to respond to our demands. They have not responded positively. The decision that should have been taken in days should now be taken in hours.”

Information and Public Relations Minister K Srinivasulu said an appropriate decision will be taken at the appropriate time. Another senior leader told TNIE on condition of anonymity that Naidu had told them he would take a final call within two days.

There is also speculation that Naidu might make an announcement in the Assembly on Wednesday. Sources said the CM received information about the Union Finance Ministry’s “caustic” remarks on the State’s demand for special status and industrial incentives while the meeting with MLAs was on. TDP insiders claim the Centre asked the State representatives “whether they would seek defence funds also since the country is not at war.”

The Chief Minister, referring to these alleged comments, observed, “Is there any comparison between coming to the rescue of a State and war? The Congress too had run a war room in 2014. I know what the people want. We will not compromise. We will take an appropriate decision at the right time... for good or ill.” During the lengthy meeting, Naidu directed the party leaders to visit every village and explain the good work done by the government and the party’s stand. He also denied taking a U-turn on special status to the State.

“It is not correct to say that am not insisting on special status. We accepted the special package only after the Centre assured us that it is as good as special status. We have been patient with the Centre and joined the NDA only for the State’s benefit. Now, even if we continue to be patient, people are in no mood to be tolerant anymore,” he said.