No base, no alliance for PR

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad Nov. 30: The Praja Rajyam appears to have run into problems for forging pre-poll alliances as it is yet to create an organisational set up at the Assembly constituency level. Even though the PR president, Chiranjeevi is willing to have a pre-poll alliance with the Telangana Rastra Samiti, the latter is reluctant as the PR lacks a structure at the constituency, mandal and village level, which is crucial for any political party in turning public response into votes.

The CPI general secretary, Mr Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, also sighted the same reason for preferring the TD to the PR for an alliance. The TRS does not appear to be in a mood to join hands with the PR even if its efforts to forge an alliance with the Congress fails. Even though the TRS leaders are keeping their cards close to their chest on poll alliances, sources in the party said that it is very unlikely that the TRS will ally with the PR. “If the Congress does not take a favourable decision on Telangana, we prefer the TD. As far as our interests are concerned a pact with the TD is helpful for us than with the PR, which lacks organisational structure,” said a senior TRS leader.

When asked about this, the TRS MLA Mr T. Harish Rao said: “We are yet to take a decision on alliances. As the government has second thoughts on early elections, why should we decide our stand now? We have got enough time.” Interestingly, the CPI state secretary, Mr K. Narayana, was confident that the TRS will join the TD-Left alliance. “I am hopeful that the TRS will align with us. I can persuade the TRS to join us,” he added.