The Telugu Desam Party on Friday formally decided to quit the National Democratic Alliance, days after two of its ministers quit the Narendra Modi government protesting for special category status to Andhra Pradesh.


Hours later, TDP leader Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha which may be taken up for consideration on Monday.


While the TDP has maintained that the denial of special category status is the reason behind its exit from the NDA, sources say, there could in fact, be other more reasons for the TDP's disenchantment with the BJP.


The truth, say sources, lies somewhere in this story.


The relationship between Chandrababu Naidu and Narendra Modi soured on the day the BJP elevated M Venkaiah Naidu as vice president of India.


The TDP had then issued a statement that the Centre had in effect usurped a staunch supporter of Andhra Pradesh from the Council of Ministers.


Born in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, the veep had always been a proud Andhra man. Political observers say he had apparently accepted the post of vice president with some reluctance.


As for the other Naidu, BJP sources quipped that Chandrababu had signed several MOUs with Singapore, Japan, Korea and Malaysia for building the capital city, Amaravati. The MoUs totalled  approximately Rs 35,000 crore. The BJP is asking why this money can't be used for the state.  


The BJP says the Centre has been extending support to Andhra Pradesh on various social welfare schemes but Naidu has not submitted utilisation certificates. Where have the funds gone, they ask and say Naidu must have diverted the funds to build Amaravati.


For the past one year, Chandrababu Naidu was not given time to meet Prime Minister Modi. The central leadership has also been hesitant to meet Naidu because in almost all the 16 meetings between 2014 and 2016, Naidu has asked for funds every single time. The PM apparently was irritated with these requests and decided not to meet Naidu.


Chandrababu has been wanting that the Centre appoint a new governor of Andhra Pradesh, because he believes the incumbent, ESL Narasimhan, is toeing the line of Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao.


Naidu has also shown reluctance in giving his nod to extending Nirmala Sitharaman's tenure in the Rajya Sabha and wanted Suresh Prabhu as the BJP nominee from the state. Naidu felt Sitharaman was being thrust on Andhra and found her frequent visits to the state to be an irritant.


So are these the real reasons or just the special status for the state that broke the camel's back? 

While on the subject, do read this article Has Naidu misread Modi?