Vijayawada: There’s a strong indication that a ‘golden handshake’ will be given to around 40 TD MLAs. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had suggested at the last coordination meeting of the party that non-performing MLAs would not be offered a free lunch, and that the party can’t afford them as they were not in a position to translate the government initiatives into votes.

Saturday meeting of the coordination committee is going to be a hot session as the party gears up for the 2019 battle.





It may be recalled that Mr Naidu made it very clear at the party coordination committee held a couple of months ago that around 40 MLAs were in the Red Zone and their fate would be decided on the basis of the performance reports. The scheduled meeting of the party coordination committee on Saturday and the marathon meeting scheduled on Sunday with all public representatives of the Telugu Desam, will convey the message of a ‘Golden Handshake’ to the non-performing MLAs.

Despite being busy with administration and going on foreign tours to seek investments, Mr Naidu has done a complete study on the performance of his men. “I will offer them lunch and say ‘Namaste’ to the non-performers,” Mr Naidu was heard saying at the coordination committee meeting.

Mr Naidu has conveyed a determined message that he wants to go into the 2019 battle with the best performers, who could translate the vision and welfare schemes of the government, into votes.

“Now the time has come, and the party chief will move into Plan B over those 40 Red Zone segments,” said a minister, on condition of anonymity. The CM has already got reports over the presence, participation and approach of his MLAs and MPs, in various programmes being organised by the government and will accordingly address the party meet at his Undavalli residence.