Hyderabad: A possible electoral alliance between the Congress and the Telugu Desam in Telangana state is being opposed by the AP Congress, who say it will be suicidal of the party. AP Telugu Desam, too, is divided over the prospect of a Congress-TD tie-up in TS.
Regarding an alliance with the TD in the state, TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy had recently said, “Is there any hard and fast rule that the Congress should not forge an alliance with the TD?”
Telangana state TD president L. Ramana said there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics. Mr Ramana also spoke of an coalition government, strengthening speculation of a tie-up.
Adding to this was TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu sharing the dais with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and shaking hands with AICC president Rahul Gandhi in Bengaluru. Mr Naidu generally avoids sharing the dais with Congress leaders but made an exception during the swearing in ceremony of Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy as Karnataka Chief Minister.
The Congress needs an alliance to defeat the TRS. The sentiments of local leaders apart, the Congress leadership will take a decision on electoral alliance.
In AP, the TD requires a partner to take on the YSRC, and the BJP has become a rival. Here, the Congress is not in favour of tying up the TD. A senior AP Congress leader said if the high command asks them, they would oppose any alliance with the Telugu Desam.
He said that the alliance with the TD would be like committing harakiri for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh. He said, "the chemistry of the TD and Congress alliance will not work in AP". Even in the Telugu Desam, not all leaders support an alliance with the Congress.
