Worried over the possible TDP-BJP alliance impacting the prospects of their chances in the elections in Telangana, clear indications are emerging that an attempt is being made by senior leaders of the Congress and the TRS to ensure that the two sides enter into electoral alliance.
Although, TRS leadership has strongly denied that such move is on, authoritative Congress sources said consultations were taking place between the two sides at the Delhi level. Terming the discussions back-room diplomacy, top Congress leadership want to reap the benefits of creation of Telangana State instead of conceding ground to the TDP-BJP combine.
After the TDP-BJP alliance talk gained ground there is a feeling among Congress leadership that the best option was to enter into seat sharing with the TRS to sweep the elections. A senior Telangana Congress leader, who wished anonymity but was privy to the certain crucial discussions in the last two days, maintained that a senior TRS leader had met a top AICC functionary.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Wednesday also, a TRS leader is said to have met AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh. Broadly, Congress leadership feels that out of the 119 seats in Telangana, eight seats would be allotted to the CPI, while there would be friendly contest in other seats where MIM is sure to field its candidates.
The question is about how many seats the Congress and the TRS should share. As per the strength in the present Assembly, Congress wants all the 49 MLAs to be retained while the TRS has 20 MLAs.