What is actually happening here is that Tsipras is simply trying to save face. Attempting to get the Troika (EU, IMF, ECB) to bend in the negotiations was a suicide commando in the first place.
Now he realizes that his plan failed and is trying last minute to shift responsibility to the Greek public (i.e. "let them decide what the right path is"). In any outcome event (Greece leaving Eurozone or Greece accepting Troika terms) he would be able to point to the referendum and tell everyone that it wasn't "his fault".
Now he realizes that his plan failed and is trying last minute to shift responsibility to the Greek public (i.e. "let them decide what the right path is"). In any outcome event (Greece leaving Eurozone or Greece accepting Troika terms) he would be able to point to the referendum and tell everyone that it wasn't "his fault".