With the civic polls behind them, political parties have turned their attention to elections to the 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly constituencies in Seemandhra on May 7.
NotificationThe notification will be released on April 12, and candidates have time to file nominations till April 19.
So, the next 12 days will be crucial for parties, as they have to complete the process of selecting candidates while giving finishing touches to their manifestos.
Coming to the selection of candidates, none of the major parties has yet finalised its list, but they have to race against time and prepare for electioneering at the earliest, and a lot depends on alliances.
TDP-BJP allianceNegotiations over the Telugu Desam Party-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance have not reached a conclusion so far, as both parties are busy with the seat-sharing exercise.
The BJP insists it should be given five Lok Sabha and 20 Assembly seats, and the Telugu Desam Party appears to be in no mood to concede as many seats to the saffron party.
Left strategyThe Left parties – CPI and CPI (M) – contested civic elections jointly, but they are yet to reveal their strategy for the general elections. Also, there is speculation that the CPI (M) is keen on a tie-up with the YSRC.
Biding timeBoth the YSRC and the Congress are biding time to take decisions, but the YSRC has no qualms about its ability to put up a good show without any alliance.
Kiran on weak wicketKiran Kumar Reddy’s Jai Samaikyandhra Party stands on weak ground, as several Congress leaders, who were with the former Chief Minister, at the time of floating the Jai Samaikyandhra Party, deserted him one by one in pursuance of their personal interests.
