The political temperature in the state has suddenly shot up with challenges and counter-challenges over destabilizing the Kiran Kumar Reddy which is precariously clinging on to power.

The Telugu Desam Party Chief N Chandrababu Naidu has now lobbed the ball in the court of YSR Congress Party President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and dared him to make the first move.

In a politically significant statement, Naidu has said that his party would support a no-confidence motion if moved by pro-Jagan legislators in the Assembly. However, he challenged Jagan to approach the Governor E S L Narasimhan and give him a letter withdrawing support to the Congress government. This challenge has suddenly electrified the political atmosphere, according to lead stories in “Eenadu” and “Andhra Jyothy”.

If Jagan accepts the challenge and makes the first move, then the present government may collapse and state may head for mid-term elections.

However, in a strong response to Naidu’s challenge, Jagan has said it reflected the TDP’s match-fixing with the Congress. It is the TDP which, by virtue of being the main opposition party, has the numbers to move no-trust vote. Instead of discharging its responsibility as the main opposition party, the TDP has pointed fingers at YSR Congress Party which does not have the required numbers to overthrow the government.

On his part, Naidu has taunted Jagan to come out in the open as to how many MLAs are with him and if he has guts he should announce withdrawal of support to the government. According to “Andhra Jyothy”, Naidu’s fresh challenge has pushed Jagan into defence. He needs to have the support of at least 58 MLAs to move a no-confidence motion.

It is clear that he does not the required strength. Moreover, his loyalists are also worried over disqualification under anti-defection law.

On its part, “Sakshi” ran a banner story highlighting Jagan’s response to the TDP’s challenge. Jagan has even given some ideas on what grounds a no-confidence motion can be moved by the TDP 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.

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, 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.