Despite categorical assertion by TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao that his party would not merge with the Congress, AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh is hopeful of at least an alliance in the coming elections.
Reacting for the first time after KCR’s decision, Mr. Singh told the reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday that he had seen the comments on merger.
“KCR first said once the bifurcation was over, the party will merge with the Congress. But I saw the statement and now he wants an alliance,” he remarked.
Mr. Singh said a committee headed by Rajya Sabha member K. Keshava Rao had been constituted by the TRS to discuss the alliance.
“The Congress party is planning to constitute a committee on alliance comprising leaders from the Telangana region,” he said.
The senior Congress leader welcomed KCR’s announcement that after the elections, the latter would join the UPA.
Mr. Singh said leaders should behave in a dignified manner and conduct in such a way that there was no criticism.
Congress leaders from Telangana had not taken kindly to Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao’s decision not to merge his party. Senior leaders like Mohammed Shabbir Ali had lashed out at the TRS chief for his attitude in not honouring the promise earlier.
He claimed that the Congress was confident of winn-ing the elections in Telangana without any difficulty.
Former PCC chief D. Srinivas said that the high command would handle the issue of possible alliance with the TRS.