Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s decision to move a no-confidence motion against the Congress government during the budget session of the assembly beginning on Wednesday has taken the Telugu Desam Party by surprise.

Hitherto, the TDP was trying corner YSR Congress party by challenging it to move the no-confidence motion to prove its real strength. But the TRS’s decision came from unexpected quarters, pushing the TDP itself into a corner. The TDP, which has declared its stand in favour of Telangana, will be compelled to support the no-confidence motion to be moved by the TRS.

Stung by the latest development, the TDP leaders sought to turn the tables on the TRS. “We cannot believe KCR who suddenly woke up from slumber and talked of no-confidence motion. Apparently, he is trying to save the Congress government by alerting it to take action against the rebel MLAs. If the Congress party sacks the rebel MLAs, it would survive the motion,” TDP legislator A Revanth Reddy said.

He said the TDP would move an independent no-confidence motion against the Kiran government at an appropriate time, and it would not go by Sharmila or KCR’s announcements.

The party leaders feel that supporting  the TRS-sponsored no-confidence motion at this stage would only help the TRS gain advantage in Telangana, while the YSRC would have an upper hand in the Seemandhra region. The TDP would be the ultimate loser, they feel.