Hyderabad: Pointing to a ‘tactical understanding’ between the Congress and the TDP, chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana displayed a new-found respect for the principal opposition party. This was in contrast to their utterances a few days ago when they had declared that TDP was all but finished in the state.

The change of line was triggered by the TDP’s decision not to support the no confidence motion against the government.

“TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has already made it clear that his party will not support the motion. At best, they may abstain. But even that would help the Congress government,” said a ruling party leader echoing a sense of relief.

Triggering speculations of an understanding, both the CM and PCC chief reciprocated the strategic gesture of the TDP by acknowledging it as a major party in the state. During their interactions with the media on Thursday, both the leaders emphatically said in 2014, the fight would be between the Congress and TDP.