HYDERABAD, JULY 7: Will TDP president N Chandra Babu Naidu replace Mulayam Singh as the UNPA leader? He was most likely to take over, as the Samajwadi Party would no longer be a member of the UNPA, sources in the TDP said.

TDP leader and Politburo member Yerran Naidu said, “The TDP is a strong member of the UNPA and the alliance would still be strong even if the SP parts company. There will be a meeting of the UNPA in the next few days when a decision will be taken.”

Since the SP had decided to support the UPA on the nuclear deal, the TDP was already preparing to steer the UNPA without the SP and keep the rest of the flock together.

TDP sources said Chandra Babu Naidu, who restarted his “mee kosam” state-wide rathayatra on Friday after returning from New Delhi, was in constant touch with Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala and had been discussing the developments unfolding in New Delhi. Chandra Babu Naidu, who was in Burugupudi constituency in East Godavari district on Saturday, however, refused to divulge anything.

Yerran Naidu said since the SP had not made a public announcement of its intentions, other UNPA partners would have to wait and watch.

“My leader Chandra Babu Naidu and I returned on Friday. I am in my constituency and Chandra Babu is back on his yatra. There is nothing much we can do till SP clears the air,” he said.

Yerran Naidu said the UNPA was still demanding a national debate on the nuclear deal issue.

“But due to the developments regarding the SP, we have returned to Andhra without making much headway. Now, we have to wait and see what happens over the next few days,” he added.

He said the UNPA might end up losing some allies by opposing the nuclear deal but said the alliance still stood by its decision as it felt the deal was against national interest.

“If a few people decide to quit, it doesn’t matter,” he added.