Poll bugle ahead of schedule

Hyderabad: Political parties in Telangana are gearing up to win confidence of people with general elections looming large sooner than later. The opposition parties have started their drill of knowing and joining hands with parties which have similar wavelength with them. But it is unclear at this point of time as to how many formations would be in the fray against KCR, and whether it is a straight fight, triangular and quadrangular.

The ruling TRS party seems to have sounded poll bugle with the recent Gadwal public meeting, in which party supremo and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao showered a slew of sops on Gadwal district. When it comes to rival parties there is difference of opinion within the ranks of various parties and it remains to be seen how they would sort out to stand as one unit.

In 2009, entire opposition formed into grand alliance against the might of Congress-led Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy, which the latter won comfortably. Cut to the present, an attempt is on to forge a grand alliance once again comprising opposition parties to take on KCR-led ruling TRS head on. Congress is keen on getting on board anti-KCR forces, but parties have their reservations on who should lead the alliance.

Congress, which will be contesting lion’s share of seats leaving a few to alliance partners, obviously is expecting the top position, but other parties have their own opinions. At this juncture all eyes are on the moves of new entrant to state politics Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) in the coming months.

TJS leadership wants Kodandaram to lead the alliance for a viable alternative force to TRS. “KCR vs Kodandaram would make forthcoming elections interesting and a keenly fought. Kodandaram has a clean and non-controversial image and he has good connections with people from all walks of life in all districts. Also, other political parties will have no qualms joining an alliance in which Kodandaram is at the forefront," said a key TJS leader.

Left parties are in touch with TJS leadership to join hands. CPI and CPI (ML New Democracy) are associated with Kodandaram-led TJAC in statehood movement and it would be no surprise if they join hands again for the upcoming electoral battle. As far as CPI(M) is concerned, the Left party and TJS are yet to come to an understanding.

TJS sources said that the CPM is not eager to be part of Congress-led alliance while TJS has its concerns on electoral tie up with the left party because it opposed Telangana statehood demand and was not part of the agitation. TDP, which is in power in Andhra Pradesh, is not a force to reckon with anymore in Telangana with key leaders and legislators having switched loyalty to the TRS. It is likely to be part of an alliance fighting against TRS.

BJP state unit on its part is trying to impress on high command on fighting TRS alone in elections and it was even reiterated by its state president Dr K Laxman before embarking on first phase of Jana Chaitanya Yatra across Telangana to woo the voters. However, there is a feeling in political circles that BJP high command might be keen on befriending TRS, which can come to its rescue in case of falling short of majority in Parliament elections. Hence, the state unit might be asked to go slow instead of an all-out war against TRS.