Hyderabad: The meeting between Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at latter's residence in Hyderabad last evening (Nov 18, 2004) has triggered speculation over revival of the regional party's ties with Left parties.

Though both the leaders described their 30 minute meeting over tea as routine, it assumed political significance in the wake of a marked sense of discomfort in TDP circles over its ally BJP's renewed focus on Hindutva.

"How can we discuss politics with Lok Sabha Speaker? Chatterjee is an old friend of mine and I have invited him for tea," Naidu said when asked what transpired during the meeting.

However, the TDP supremo, smarting under severe drubbing in the May elections, said his party had worked closely with the Left parties in the past.

" We had moved away from them because of certain political compulsions at national level," Naidu said.

Asked about media speculation over possible revival of ties between TDP and the left parties, he said, " Why are you getting such ideas? As of now, there is nothing of that sort."

The LS Speaker, who was in Hyderabad yesterday (Nov 18, 2004) to inaugurate the first India and Asia Regions Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference, drove to Naidu's Jubilee Hills residence and had a 30 minute long meeting with him.

"Naidu is an old friend of mine. I accepted his invitation and met him over tea. I feel happy about the meeting," Chatterjee had said.