KCR mulls grand ‘T’ pact

Hyderabad/New delhi Sept. 18: Shocked by the angry reaction of senior leaders and ideologues to the proposal to ally with the Telugu Desam, the TRS chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, has decided concentrate on uniting pro-statehood parties to form a “Telangana grand alliance”. This may put paid to his plans to ally with the TD in a “maha alliance”. Though neither party has spelt out its stand on sensitive issues ahead of an alliance, they began working together during the recent Assembly session. “We have not decided on the alliance with the TD. They have to clear many doubts,” said Mr T. Harish Rao, senior TRS leader and Siddipet MLA.

The TRS ideologues, Prof. A. Jayasankar and Mr Vidya Sagar, have already expressed their displeasure over the proposed maha alliance. They have made it clear that they would go ahead with their own pro-statehood movement. This shocked the TRS and the leadership halted alliance talks with the TD abruptly. The TD had come so far as to assure the TRS that it would take back its letter opposing statehood given to the Pranab Mukherjee committee on Telangana. “We have no problems in taking back the letter but it will happen only the politburo and the core committee decide to do so,” said Mr K. Yerrannaidu, the TD Parliamentary Party leader.

While this is so, the TRS is working towards uniting other pro-statehood parties. “I am ready to work with other Telangana parties. My two aims are formation of Telangana state and making a dalit as chief minister, Mr Rao said. “Ms Vijayashanthi (actor and Telangana Talli president) has agreed to work with TRS. I have contacted Mr Devender Goud also,” he said. Mr Goud, who heads the Nava Telangana Praja Party, is not averse to the idea and is slowly moving towards the TRS. After realising that his party cannot take on the Congress, Mr Goud came in contact with Mr Rao. “This is to unite the pro-Telangana votes. By fighting each other we lose our votes and rival forces would be strengthened,” Mr Rao said. “I will not allow that.” Meanwhile, the TD’s decision on Telangana is expected to be taken by the end of this month at its executive meeting from September 27-29. The TD’s core committee, is expected to meet on September 30 and formalise the party stand.