Telangana Jana Samithi eyes 10 Assembly seats

Hyderabad: Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) wants at least 10 MLAs representing the party in the next Assembly in order to have a bigger say on various debates in the house until 2023. If the comfortable majority to form government is 60 seats, TJS is aiming for at least one-sixth representation and not less than that.

For this reason, the TJS is insisting on it being given a number between 15 to 20 seats as part of the Grand Alliance. Although a section in the Congress expressed doubts about winning chances of the new political outfit and also commented that two or three seats was enough for it, the TJS had remained unperturbed and reiterated its stand in no uncertain terms.

A senior leader said that the TJS does not deserve a single digit number. Although the party is new, Prof Kodandaram is synonymous with Telangana statehood agitation and has good connect with people in all districts. It does not matter whether TJS has strong candidates or not, people will relate to Kodandaram and rally behind the TJS candidates, the leader said.

One more thing being emphasised by the TJS functionaries is to ensure representation for all castes in finalisation of its contestants. And that cannot be possible if the TJS is allocated a single digit number. 15 to 20 seats make sense as the party’s think tank can field candidates by taking women, OC, BC, SC and ST quotas into consideration, the leader said.

“Ideally the TJS would like to field two to three women candidates, seven to eight OC candidates, three BCs, two SCs and one STs in the election fray. The number can slightly differ depending on the final seat share, talks on which have been expedited following the fresh ultimatum by Prof Kodandaram,” sources added.

Kodandaram on Tuesday stated that if seat sharing is not finalised in two days, the TJS will go ahead and release its candidates list with 21 names. Sources stated that it has finalised names and list release was kept pending awaiting clarity from the Congress on its seats share as part of Mahakutami.