While the MIM’s withdrawal of support is a setback for the Congress in the state - the ruling party has lost its only trusted supporter since 1999 - Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s government still commands a majority in the Assembly.
The MIM support had given the Congress an edge over other secular parties, particularly when it came to enjoying the confidence of Muslims.
In the last no-confidence motion against Reddy’s government in December, 2011, the seven-member MIM had sided with the ruling party.
Lately, however, there had been indications that their support could not be taken for granted, particularly after MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi started gravitating towards YSR Congress president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.