In the continued shadow-boxing over the no-confidence motion against the Kiran Kumar Reddy government, the YSR Congress Party President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has made a surprise move, promising to support his arch-rival and Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu if the latter moves a no-trust motion.

Jagan has even given some ideas on what ground a no-confidence motion can be moved against the present government. He asked Naidu to put the government on notice on social welfare spending.

If Naidu has genuine concern for the poor and farmers, he should confront the government with the demands for sanction of Rs 6,800 crore for fee reimbursement for students, Rs 2000 crore for ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and Rs 2,000 crore for “Paavala Vaddi” scheme.

If the government fails to give a commitment on the sanction of funds, then the TDP should go ahead with moving a no-trust motion, Jagan said and assured that his group would support such a move, according to a banner story in “Sakshi”.

On its part, the TDP said it would not come in the way of no-trust motion if moved by legislators loyal to Jagan.

According to a lead story in “Andhra Jyothy”, the TYDP leaders contended that pro-Jagan MLAs could go and meet Governor E S L Narasimhan and withdraw their support to the government. This, they argued, would bring down the government.

Now, the question who will make the first move. Both TDP and YSR Congress are engaged in shadow-boxing, daring each other to move the no-confidence motion. A wily strategist that he is, Chandrababu Naidu knows that the Chief Minister is on a weak wicket due to growing internal rebellion and it is the best time to hit him below the belt.

The Congress government never looked so vulnerable and weak. The Chief Minister is currently engaged in a bitter slanging match with the Jagan camp on one hand and pro-Telangana Congress leaders on the other. This double whammy makes him susceptible and his government unstable.

The TDP has 90 MLAs in the 294-member Assembly while Jagan camp is said to have the support of nearly 30 legislators. Together, they can bring down the government.

The suspension of TDP rebel leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy from the party for “gross indiscipline” was a major late night development that grabbed media headlines.

According a story in “Eenadu”, Nagam is contemplating resignation from the Assembly. He also attacked Naidu for deliberately weakening the party in Telangana region.

“The suspension is the gift I get from him for serving the party with loyalty and commitment,” Nagam lamented. A small coterie of self-serving individuals have gained a vice-like grip over Naidu and were bent upon destroying the party and its credibility, he said.

The violence-marred Karimnagar “Ranabheri” of Telangana TDP Forum was given wide coverage across major publications.