Hyderabad: The Telangana Congress in principle has decided not to work for an alliance with the MIM, its former partner of several decades, in the ensuing GHMC polls. The MIM has developed a political understanding with the TRS after bifurcation.
The Congress has also decided to put its weight behind the 'Seemandhra' people settled in Hyderabad by taking on the TRS government for “harassing” them.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of senior leaders convened by TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that Mr Somesh Kumar, GHMC special officer and election authority for the GHMC polls, was “acting like an agent of the TRS and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.”
He said Mr Kumar had not consulted any political party on the controversial delimitation of GHMC divisions, thereby helping the TRS and the MIM.
He said though the Congress it would fight for the 12-per cent reservations to Muslims as promised by the Chief Minister.
The meeting felt the Seemandhra population had not voted for the Congress last year as they were upset with the bifurcation of the state. It is for the Congress to re-establish rapport with these sections and fight for their cause as they are feeling insecure ever since Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao started “harassing” them.
Meanwhile, differences between the city Congress leaders came to the fore. Former minister Danam Nagender, the party’s Greater Hyderabad unit chief, said that the selection of Ms Akula Lalitha as the party nominee for the recent MLC polls was wrong, instead the ticket should have been given to a city leader keeping in view the GHMC polls.
This was countered by PCC general secretary T. Nirajan who argued that Mr Nagender himself was not evincing interest in party affairs and should resign.
Later, when senior party MP V. Hanumantha Rao was speaking, a party worker objected and said the issue was not on the agenda. Former minister Marri Sasidhar Reddy said Congress leaders should send out a message that the TRS was the No. 1 enemy of the party and not the TD. He suggested that the party should corner the TRS government for its inefficiency.
