The BJP, TDP may ink seat-sharing alliance in Seemandhra and Telangana on Saturday. According to party sources, “Agreement on majority of lok Sabha and Assembly seats have already reached, only few irritants are left which could be resolved.”
BJP leader and in-charge of Seemandhra Prakash Javadekar has been in discussions with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in Hyderabad to sort out differences on the number of seats to be shared by the both sides. Around eight to nine meetings at Hyderabad and New Delhi have taken place between the two sides.
The BJP has asked for 14 lok Sabha seats out of total 42 seats and 70 Assembly seats out of total 294 seats together in Telangana and Seemandhra, sources said in know of negotiations.The BJP was demanding 45 Assembly and eight lS seats in Telangana and 25 Assembly and 6 lS seats in Seemandhra.
However, the TDP is reportedly ready to part with only 35 Assembly and eight lS seats in Telangana and 15 Assembly and four lS seats in Seemandhra. Naidu has been saying that the TDP has a strong cadre in both the regions and could win more seats than the BJP. Javadekar conveyed his opinion to his party’s central leadership here.
The talks had hit road blocks with BJP in the middle of negotiations starting the process of selection of party candidates in Telangana and Seemandhra, prompting TDP to promptly re-visit the seat sharing issue and resolve the differences.Asked about the fate of the long-drawn negotiations between the two sides Javadekar quipped, “…Haathi nikal gaya hai.. sirf punchh baki hain...”