Telangana Assembly elections: Opposition follows wait and watch policy on seat sharing

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), ruling the state, has already announced its list of 105 candidates for the Assembly polls. But, opposition are taking their time to announce the list of candidates, as they think hurry will decrease the chances of winning the elections.

Congress, the Telegu desam Party (TDP), the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) have joined hands to contest the upcoming elections in the state. However,  to avoid last minute confusion, each party is making the list in the appropriate manner to gain maximum seats. It is also to be known that the parties in alliance do not want to take decisions in haste and want to have a clear focus on seat sharing among them.

Informing the minutes, DP Telangana chief L Ramana said, as reported by the Indian Express, “Negotiations are still on. We still have time till November 19, which is the last date for filing nomination. In the meantime, we have asked our leaders in constituencies where they are strong contenders to start campaigning… I am confident we will work out something that will not only be mutually beneficial, but also make the alliance stronger.”

He further added, “TRS declared 105 candidates in a month and now it is in a fire-fighting mode due to infighting and rebellion. We don’t want to do that mistake by announcing candidates in a hurry.” Another member in the alliance was of the same opinion.

TJS leader Prof B Kodandaram said, “In spite of meetings between the leaders of the parties in the alliance every day, they have not been able to come to an understanding… Telangana Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy is making promises at public meetings which will be included in the common manifesto but other parties are unable to do the same.’’

In the 119 Assembly seats Congress wants to contest in 90 seats, leaving 29 for others. Speaking on the consensus, another TJS leader said, “TDP and TJS are bargaining hard to get more seats to contest but Congress is not budging. But discussions are on and we are hopeful of arriving at a consensus soon.” Assembly elections in the state will take place on December 7, 2018 and the results will be announced on December 11.

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