After analysing the TDP's prospects in Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls with party's MLA and MP candidates on April 22 in Amaravathi, TDP chief and AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu reportedly came to a conclusion that TDP will not get required seats to form the government on its own and it had to engineer defections in Jana Sena and YSRCP, if at all it wants to grab power again.
Naidu's reported comments in this meeting clearly indicated that he foresees a hung Assembly and no party would be able to form the government on its own.
Few TDP candidates who participated in this meeting are giving 'leaks' to media on Naidu's comments.
Naidu is learnt to have told party's candidates that Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena has damaged TDP's prospects in 30 to 35 seats, while TDP candidates failed in executing 'poll management strategy' effectively in another 20 to 25 seats.
In the worst-case scenario, Naidu estimated that TDP will lose 30 seats on account of Jana Sena splitting votes and it will also lose another 20 seats due to bad poll management.
This will result in TDP losing 50 seats straight away.
Of the remaining 125 seats, Naidu expressed doubts over party bagging the required seats, that is 88 seats, to form the government.
At this stage, when some party's candidates asked Naidu what would be the party's strategy under these circumstances, Naidu is learnt to have told them to be in touch with Jana Sena and YSRCP candidates, who are sure to win the seats.
Naidu reportedly assured them that he will take care of 'money issues' to buy MLAs from YSRCP and Jana Sena.
He told them that money is not a constraint from him, they need not bother about money as he will mobilise the required funds to buy MLAs.
Naidu specifically asked ministers and top TDP leaders to be in touch with at least 40 to 50 Jana Sena and YSRCP candidates for the next 30 days, lure them with 'good packages' and explain them what they would get in return, if they switch sides to TDP and help TDP form the government.
In the end, Naidu reportedly made his intentions clear that he will go to any extent to grab power and become CM for the consecutive second term but will not accept defeat just like that and sit quietly.
