One of the major lures for the MLAs leaving YSRCP for TDP has been that the number of assembly constituencies would be increased in 2019 and this would prevent their possible clash with already existing TDP leadership in their constituencies. Chandrababu too promised that the number of constituencies would be hiked and that there would be no clash between the old timers and the newcomers.

But, the Centre has now given clear indications that there would be no revision of the number of constituencies in AP till 2026. This will prove a huge problem for both Chandrababu Naidu in AP and Chandrasekhar Rao in Telangana as there would be a clash between the loyalists and the newcomers.

In fact, last November, the Minister of state for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram had categorically stated in a written reply to the TDP Rajya Sabha MP TG Venkatesh that it is not possible to increase the number of Assembly seats in AP and TS as stated in the Section 26 of the AP Reorganisation Act, until an amendment to Article 170 (3) of the Indian Constitution is made.

However the two Chief Ministers kept the hope alive among the turncoat MLAs saying that things would get OK and new constituencies would be carved. But the Centre has once again made it clear to both the Chief Ministers that it is not possible to hike the number of seats in the given situation.

As a result, the turncoat MLAs from both YSRCP in AP and the TDP in Telangana are in a fix about their political future. The problems are more acute in AP as in most constituencies there are at least two powerful contenders within the ruling party in each constituency. Even if the turncoat MLAs manage to get a party ticket, it may not be all that easy to overcome the internal squabbles. This is already being played out in the Nandyal bypoll.

So the YSRCP MLAs, who shifted loyalties to the TDP, are in a Catch 22 situation. Now they can neither continue in the TDP where getting a party ticket and winning the seat is very difficult nor can they come back to the YSRCP.

It is learnt that some turncoat MLAs are in touch with every other party including the Congress, BJP and Jena Sena. As of now, everything is fluid and nothing is predictable.