Amidst growing speculation that the Telangana Rashtra Samiti president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is looking at taking the side of Congress in the post-Parliament election scenario, the party has categorically denied any such move.
The reports that Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy called up Mr. Rao just before the latter’s departure to meet his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan fuelled the speculation.
It was reported that Mr. Rao had sought Mr. Kumaraswamy’s mediation to convince the Congress high command to let the former sail with the Congress as it was perceived to be doing better than the BJP in the elections.
The TRS dismissed the speculation as lacking basis because neither the Congress nor the BJP, and not even their alliances -- United Progressive Alliance, National Democratic Alliance respectively -- are in a position to form government. It was a precarious situation for Congress and BJP because six parties in five States -- Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana -- had appreciated the idea of a federal front of regional parties. These parties commanded 150 out of 185 seats.
The TRS deputy leader in Lok Sabha B. Vinod Kumar said there is no way the Congress and the BJP will be anywhere near the tally of regional parties even at the national-level. Hence, there was no question of taking sides.
The Congress in Telangana is clueless on the reported moves of Mr. Rao to get closer to the party and rubbishes it as yet “another stunt” to divert attention from his failed third front attempt.
Party leaders remained tight-lipped and those who spoke questioned the veracity of the reports, and they termed it as a routine political move after his third front efforts failed to take off with literally no support.
“Mr. Rao will join hands with anyone who will form the government at the Centre and is the most untrustworthy politician in the country,” a senior leader charged wishing anonymity. “Even the BJP will not trust him,” he said. Top party functionaries, however, refused to respond saying they have no clue on the development.
Second-rung leaders and youngsters in Congress argue that his moves are suspicious and the high command should be cautious in believing him.
“The person who is misusing his power and subverting the Constitution itself to decimate Congress in the State should not be trusted. We will continue our fight against him,” a young leader said.
