TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu was constantly under fire from the Telangana protagonists, ever since he made known his controversial 'two-eyes' policy on Telangana issue. Now he is in trouble again by declaring that he would be neutral as far as the Telangana issue is concerned. Analysts said his assertion would lead to uproarious reactions from Telangana protagonists and cause further erosion of the party base in the region.

Displaying his weakened stand on the contentious separate state issue, Naidu said, "I am neutral as far as Telangana is concerned. I have to respect the sentiments of the people of both the regions. I have to safeguard my party in both the regions so I cannot take a stand on the issue." At a press conference on Tuesday, he said it was for the Centre to take a decision. The statement has potential to inflame the passaions of the Telangana supporters.

He went on to say that all the three regions were equal to him. "I have to protect their interests," he pointed out. However, he hastened to add that he has given freedom to leaders of both the regions to respect the feelings of the people in their respective areas. Asked whether he would accept any decision taken by the Centre on the contentious issue, Naidu was evasive. Referring to the growing unrest over the Telangana statehood issue, he wondered as to why Congress is keeping mum. "We have made our stand very clear many times," he said.

He alleged that both Congress and TRS have joined hands to destroy TDP in Telangana. He said that both the parties have entered into a 'match-fixing' deal to demolish TDP in the region. He said Congress should take the responsibility for the instability and uncertainty prevailing in the state. The opposition leader came down heavily on chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for failing to supply power to the farmers in the kharif season. The chief minister stood exposed with his ineffective handling of various issues. Naidu strongly condemned the attacks on buses plying between Vijayawada and Hyderabad by Telangana supporters.