Having failed to stitch up alliances in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Congress is seriously considering entering into partnerships in another poll bound State, Telangana, under the banner of Maha Katumbi (grand alliance).
Senior party leaders have evaluated that having poll partners in the State is beneficial as the party which once enjoyed a strong foothold in this southern State has witnessed its base getting eroded post the bifurcation. The grand old party is likely to contest in 90 out of the 119 Assembly constituencies leaving the remaining 29 seats to partners like TDP, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and the Left parties. TDP till a few months ago was an NDA ally at the Centre.
All four alliance partners have met to finalise the modalities of seat sharing. According to sources, the TDP has been offered 15 seats, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) led by Prof Kodandaram nine and the CPI five. Leaders of all these parties have, however, refused to comment saying that some details are yet to be discussed before giving out details on seat sharing.
Polls to the 119-member Telangana Assembly will be held on December 7. Presently, the ruling TRS has 81 seats followed by Congress at 17, AIMM 7 and TDP 3. This will be the second assembly elections in Telangana after it was bifurcated by the Congress-led Manmohan Singh Government in June 2013. Ever since then, the Congress has been facing public resentment both in Telangana and neigbouring Andhra where till few years ago Congress enjoyed good command.
AICC in-charge for Telangana R C Khuntia declined to comment on the number of seats to be contested by each party but said the seat-sharing formula is expected to be announced within a day or two. He also said the Congress planned to release its first list of candidates and election manifesto for the polls by Friday.
"Draft (of the manifesto) is ready. We have to send it to the AICC (for approval). We are trying to release it by November one. Maybe, 60-65 candidates would be announced in the first list by first or second November," Khuntia told The Pioneer. Eyeing for a foothold, Congress has already announced farm loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3,000 monthly dole to unemployed youth, among other assurances, if it comes to power.
The four parties who may seal the alliance with Congress may also come out with a common agenda, in addition to individual manifesto listing their priorities.
