Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday discussed with his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee possibilities of forming a non-BJP government of the regional parties with the support of the Congress at the centre in the event of a hung verdict, TMC sources said.

Naidu, who reached here from Amaravati, held a 45-minute-long meeting with Banerjee on the future strategies of the "Mahagatbandhan" (Grand Alliance), the highly-placed sources said.

The two leaders did not take any question from the waiting media persons at Banerjee's ancestral Kalighat residence.

"It was decided at today's meeting that a detailed discussion will be held among other political players of the Mahagatbandhan in the event of a hung verdict after the poll results are declared on May 23," the sources said.

The decision on Banerjee going to New Delhi would also be taken after May 23 when counting of votes will be taken, the sources said.

Naidu, who is making efforts to bring together opposition leaders against the BJP, left for New Delhi after the meeting.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav telephoned Banerjee during the day and discussed the proposed strategy of the "Mahagathbandhan", the sources said.

The TDP president had on Sunday called on National Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and had also met CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

On Saturday, he had met BSP chief Mayawati and Yadav.

During his meeting with Banerjee, the TDP chief spoke about the meetings, the TMC sources said.

The exit polls gave a clear verdict in favour of the BJP, which was promptly dubbed by Banerjee as "gossip".

The TMC supremo had said that she does not trust such surveys as the "game plan" is to use them for "manipulation" of EVMs.

Banerjee, who floated the idea of a federal front of regional parties on the eve of the general election, and Naidu have been meeting frequently.

Naidu had come here during TMC supremo's sit-in against CBI action against former Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar in March.

Banerjee had addressed a joint rally with Naidu and her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal at Vizag in March end.

First Published:May 20, 2019 11:30 PM IST