``There is no disappointment within us for not having joined the government. It was a conscious decision of the Telugu Desam Party to stay out of the National Democratic Alliance and we shall abide by it,'' said Naidu bustling past his supporters at the Chief Minister's Cottage, Andhra Bhavan, where he stays during his 36-hour sojourn in the Capital.

His day began with an informal breakfast meeting with the TDP MPs, followed by the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He then drove straight to Vice-President Krishan Kant's house and after a 20-minute interaction, it was back to Andhra Bhavan for the flavour of the day. A formal session with the Action Plan Committee of the Assocham titled`Developing Knowledge Millennium.'

The conversation between the corporate bigwigs and the CEO among politicians established common ground right from the word go. Both believed in keeping the ministries trim and lean, abolishing the unwanted. ``I have come to the Capital and contributed. My contribution lies in the fact that I have not added to the ministry, and they (NDA) too should not have done it.''

But it soon veered towards the expected. ``The Assocham has decided to work towards the next millennium. For this purpose instead of cement, tyre or sugar we will be promoting knowledge as the industry of the next millennium. For this we would like you to be one the speakers at a later programme,'' explained K L Chugh, former ITC chairman and in-charge of this programme.

Naidu reacted with a familiar smile, relishing the wavelength. ``I have been pursuing similar action myself. There are, in fact, a few such ideas in my state too,'' he said screening through the brochures.

Gleefully waving them out, hewent to join his 29 MPs for an informal lunch. It was back to Telugu and Naidu skimmed past the results quickly and they discussed politics.

``The Deepam programme (providing gas connections to the poor) needs to be taken up again now that elections are over,'' said an MP.

``Yes, not just Deepam, the other programmes also need to be taken up fully. A lot of work is left,'' replied a grim Naidu as he forked his way through a frugal rice-and-dal lunch.

The logic behind the utterances is simple. ``I work up to 18 hours a day, hoping others who work with me would contribute even 10 hours in response,'' Naidu was heard saying later.

Then it was time for the toughest part of the day. The press conference, or rather as Naidu cheekily described it, ``a meeting with some old friends.''

The meet began with the the usual gusto. Queries were flung thick and fast at a seemingly unarmed Naidu, regarding his stay-away posture and the future course of the TDP.

``The TDP is interested in a strong Andhra Pradeshand nation. Sure to achieve this we need power, but I do not believe this power will come by merely by joining the government at the Centre. The people have entrusted power to us and we are using it for their development, to serve them,'' said Naidu.

Is he keeping away to become Prime Minister? ``I am not conserving myself for any such thing. I know my limitations and would act accordingly,'' he said.

The rest of the day: A meeting with Petroleum ministry officials, an audience with M Karunanidhi and another formal meet with the TDP MPs. Then it's time to catch some sleep before waking up and flying back to Cyberabad.