HYDERABAD: The Grand Alliance is yet to catch a break. Congress, TJS, CPI and TDP, who came together on an ‘anti-TRS’ agenda, have still not finalised seat-sharing. Congress, considered to be the ‘big brother’ in the alliance, is now being pressed by its allies to finalise the much-delayed seat sharing at the earliest.
Sources say that talks between the parties are set to prolong owing to differences between them. While TDP, TJS and CPI has asked for a cumulative 30 seats, Congress is willing to part with no more than 24. CPI, that was rumoured to be getting only three seats, has warned Congress that if it didn’t finalise the seats soon, and if it weren’t given at least nine seats, it would go solo. The party would fight at least 20 seats if it breaks away.
“CPI can influence polls in about 40 constituencies and has been asking Congress to allot at least 5 seats. In spite of several discussions, Congress has not finalised seat sharing. This is not just humiliating for a national party like us, but it will also harm the prospects of the alliance. We have announced 9 constituencies where we are planning to contest. If Congress agrees for giving 5 seats, then we will stay in the alliance. Or else we will implement Plan B and contest from more than 20 seats on our own,” said CPI Telangana secretary Chada Venkat Reddy after announcing the names of Kothagudem, Pinapaka, Wyra, Mancherial, Husnabad, Alair, Munugode, Bellampalli, Devarakonda as their seats of choice.
However, sources claim that CPI will not leave the alliance, and that its latest move is just a pressure tactic to make Congress agree to its demands. Besides CPI, even TJS has been pressuring Congress to finalise seat sharing.
“There has been an inordinate delay in finalising seat-sharing agreement. We cannot delay further as there is no time. The alliance has come as a boon for pro-Telangana and anti-KCR forces. And it is the responsibility of Congress to take along all parties and finalise seats and candidates soon,” said the party’s chief Kodandaram after launching TJS’ office in Malkajgiri constituency on Monday. TJS chief reiterated that it would need at least 10 constituencies as part of the alliance.
Sensing the unease among allies, Congress called for a meeting with them at Park Hyatt on Monday evening. TPCC chief Uttam, party’s Telangana in-charge RC Khuntia, campaign committee chief Bhatti Vikramarka, TJS chief Kodandaram took part in the meeting which went on for one and a half hour.
“We discussed with Professor Kodandaram and will also speak to Chada Venkat Reddy. Discussions with allies are going on in an amicable atmosphere. No party will be left out of the alliance,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
Seats in demand
The following constituencies are being sought by two or three parties in the Grand Alliance and are the cause of delay in seat sharing: Malakjgiri, Medchal, Serilingampally, Rajendranagar, LB Nagar, Amberpet, Khairatabad, Tandur, Mahabubnagar, Jadcherla, Munugode, Kodad, Miryalguda, Devarakonda, Alair, Jangaon, Husnabad, Khammam, Palair, Chennur, Mancherial
Alliance leaders criticise TRS’ ‘friendly party’ MIM
“TRS, AIMIM and BJP have forged an unholy alliance,” said State Congress affairs in-charge RC Khuntia. “TRS has betrayed Muslims on all fronts and is enacting a drama now by joining hands with AIMIM. After the polls, TRS will join hands with BJP for general elections. Both KCR and Asaduddin Owaisi are agents of Modi,” said RC Khuntia, speaking after Indian Muslim League announced its support for Congress. Leader V Hanumantha Rao said, “Does Asaduddin belong to Kalvakuntla company and is Owaisi silent partner of KCR?”
‘Matchbox will burn away TRS’ autocratic rule’
TJS chief Kodandaram released his party’s symbol, a matchbox, on Monday. The Telangana movement veteran said that the humble matchbox would put an end to TRS’ autocratic rule. “Some people made fun of match box being our symbol. But match box is used to light a lamp and also to burn dirt. In a similar way, we will burn the autocratic rule of TRS and illuminate a new path of development for Telangana and its people,” said Kodandaram speaking in Hyderabad.
He urged people, activists and civil society groups to join and help grand alliance put an end to TRS rule in the State.