Explaining the reasons for the delay in announcing the party's stand, the leaders said party president N Chandrababu Naidu had to take into consideration various options before supporting a resolution on Article 356.They said the TDP did not face any dilemma in chalking out a strategy on the motion.

in Parliament. They denied reports that different views were expressed by ministers and MPs on the matter. "This is a unanimous decision," Venkateswarulu said.

The TDP spokesman disagreed with the criticism that the party had kept the Vajpayeegovernment on tenterhooks for four days by not openly supporting the motion well in advance. "We had our own time. There is nothing wrong in weighing all options before taking a stand on a crucial issue," he said.Similarly, the party leaders clarified that there were no contradictions in the party's stand on the statutory resolution on Bihar. "We are opposed to Article 356 and will continue to oppose its use in future too. But, Bihar is a rare and special case," Venkateswarulu said.

He assailed both the Congress and the Left parties for trying to weaken the Vajpayee government for their narrow political ends. "The Congress hatched plans to come back to power through backdoor methods and we wanted to foil its designs," he explained.