Congress backs TDP’s no-trust motion

Hyderabad: Indicating possible change of equations in the Telugu States and national politics, the Congress has extended its support to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on its no confidence motion against the NDA government at the Centre in the Lok Sabha.

The Congress has promised to support the no confidence motion being proposed by the TDP. The TDP has proposed no confidence motion against the Union government for refusal of Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.

TDP MPs met Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarrjuna Kharge in Delhi and sought the support of the Congress on no confidence motion. The Congress readily accepted the proposal. The notice on no confidence was not taken up in Lok Sabha on Friday, and it would be given again on March 19 and the Congress would support the notice, Telangana Congress leaders said. However, it is not clear whether it would also support the no confidence notice being given by YSR Congress Party.

Congress leaders said the no confidence notice was supported by the party as the TDP had come out of the National Democratic Front and launched stir against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress has promised to give SCS status to Andhra Pradesh and it would support the efforts of TDP in achieving it.

The Congress is also fighting for the SCS to Andhra Pradesh and the party MPs staged protests in the Rajya Sabha. Party MP KVP Ramachandra Rao held protests in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress also held agitations in the streets of Delhi on SCS.

However, these developments have raised speculations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on the possible change of equations. There are speculations over TDP having alliance with the Congress in Telangana.
Several TDP leaders from Telangana have already joined the Congress and some more are ready to enter the grand old party. The Congress too is ready to admit strong leaders of TDP, it is learnt.

Telangana Congress leaders said in order to forge an alliance with the TDP, similar arrangement was needed in Andhra Pradesh also. If TDP opts to join the United Progressive Alliance, TDP and Congress alliance would become a possibility in Telangana.

The Congress’s support to TDP on no confidence notice is a step forward in this direction. A few leaders want that the TDP should join hands with the Congress and become partner in the UPA for getting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.

If UPA wins the next elections and forms the government at the Centre, Andhra Pradesh would definitely get the Special Category Status, said Telangana Congress leaders. An alliance between the Congress and the TDP would help clinch power in Andhra Pradesh, overcoming the challenge of YSR Congress Party and in Telangana by defeating Telangana Rashtra Samithi.