The Grand Alliance

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Political scene in Andhra Pradesh took an interesting turn with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti deciding to join the "Grand Alliance" comprising Telugu Desam Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India. The TRS' decision came as a major set back for the ruling Congress party and a rude shock for the fledgling Praja Rajyam Party of actor Chiranjeevi, as they desperately sought to align with the pro-Telangana outfit. The TRS, led by (former Union minister) K Chandrasekhar Rao, fought the 2004 elections in the company of Congress and Left parties, in the process helping the Congress to return to power with a thumping majority riding on a strong Telangana sentiment. However, with the Congress causing a split in its ranks by weaning away some of its MLAs, and also remaining indifferent on the demand for creation of Telangana state, the TRS severed its ties with the ruling party. At the same time, the Left parties too gradually parted ways with the Congress "disenchanted" by the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government's "anti-people" policies, particularly on land-related issues. The growing corruption in administration was another factor that left the Congress isolated from its old partners. The TDP had Bharatiya Janata Party for company in the previous elections but immediately thereafter the two parties broke away. What, however, altered the political equations in the state is the emergence of Telugu Mega Star Chiranjeevi as a significant political force by launching his Praja Rajyam Party late last year. Initially, the PRP showed interest in joining hands with the Left parties but first the CPM preferred the TDP. The CPI, despite strongly favouring an alliance with the PRP, had to toe the same line as its other Left partner and ultimately become part of the "Grand Alliance" led by the TDP. Later, the PRP opened its doors for the TRS and continued a dialogue with the separatist party for a prospective poll alliance. "We have almost conceded the TRS' demand for a certain number of seats to firm up an alliance," PRP chief Chiranjeevi admitted. Even as parleys between the two parties were on, TRS president Chandrasekhar Rao announced that they would indeed go along with the TDP-Left combine, upsetting the plans of Chiranjeevi. "The decision to align with the TDP-Left combine is the TRS' internal affair. We are, however, capable of going it alone," Chiranjeevi announced in Nellore. Now, the PRP has Nava Telangana Party of former home minister T Devender Goud as its lone partner. Interestingly, the Congress has not yet lost 'hope' on a tie-up with the TRS. While the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas maintained that "our doors are still open for the TRS," senior party leaders and Telangana protagonists feel anything might happen with KCR. "Like in cricket, you can't rule out anything in politics as well till the last ball is bowled. KCR is known to spring surprises and hence we haven't lost hope entirely as yet," a veteran Congress leader pointed out. The TDP, on the other hand, is upbeat. TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu told his cadre at a meeting of the party affiliate wings here today that the Congress would draw a blank in the Telangana region with the TRS joining hands with the TDP-Left combine. Party insiders said the TDP was ready to concede at least 65 Assembly seats to the TRS out of the 119 in the Telangana region. "Adjustments will be made accordingly with the Left parties on the number of seats in other regions of the state," a politburo member of the TDP indicated. The CPM and the CPI have reportedly identified at least 85 Assembly seats besides five Lok Sabha seats for contest but have already said they would settle for a lesser number to accommodate the TRS. The four parties are expected to start deliberations on seat-sharing only in February, two months ahead of the scheduled elections, party sources said.