NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi , in his reply to the no-confidence debate in Parliament on Friday, made a strong bid to reach out to likely new allies as he hailed Telangana chief minister and TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao for the development of the state after it was created in June, 2014.

“After division of two states, Telengana chief minister KCR did good work as he pulled in resources on his own,” remarked Modi — a statement, which can set off some speculation as TRS walked out on Friday before the opposition’s no-confidence motion was voted on.

Interestingly, TRS leaders, when contacted, said the state had good relations with the Centre and there was simply no reason to support a TDP-sponsored motion. In fact, the party countered TDP’s claims of being treated unjustly. The TRS walkout was a boost to NDA even as its ally Shiv Sena decided to abstain from voting and went out of its way to hail Rahul Gandhi’s speech.

Modi recalled that he had cautioned TDP president and Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu that he was falling in a trap set by Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress.

He said the TDPYSR Congress tussle was hurting the people of Andhra but the NDA government respected their hopes and aspirations and that’s why a special package was offered to the state.

“I want to tell the people of Andhra that we will keep working for them. We will do everything possible for Andhra’s development,” he said.

Though Sena did not participate in the proceedings, other NDA allies strongly spoke in favour of the government. Apna Dal’sAnupriya Patel said the alliance in UP was well placed electorally. RPI’s Ramdas Athawale said Modi was their “Virat Kohli”.

JD(U)’s gesture was equally satisfying for BJP despite reports of differences between the two parties over seatsharing. JD(U)’s Kaushalendra said the two parties would contest the Bihar polls together and wipe out rivals.

Modi also recalled how Congress brought down governments of Deve Gowda, in which SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav was defence minister, Chandra Shekhar and Charan Singh as well as the Gandhi family’s confrontation with NCP boss Sharad Pawar . Political circles saw this as an attempt to win over regional satraps.

