The BJP's defeat in yesterday's by-elections in Uttar Pradesh has come as a boost not only to opposition parties but ally Chandrababu Naidu, who has been on the brink of breaking the tie-up. Mr Naidu has been upset with the Central government for its refusal to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh. Earlier this month, he had pulled two ministers out of the Central government, but had stopped short of pulling the plug on the alliance.