TRS, TDP combination possible?

Hyderabad: It is a remote possibility in the political landscape of the two Telugu states. Emergence of TDP-TRS combination is likely to give sleepless nights to national parties like the Congress, BJP, CPI (M), CPI in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

According to sources in the BJP and CPI(M) and CPI, hurdles for both the parties to come together are not surmountable. Difference between the TRS and TDP are mostly limited to sharing of water in the rivers Krishna and Godavari, besides irrigation projects. 

Other issues like sharing of assets, the division of XI and X scheduled institutions and the like can be sorted out by both the Chief Ministers without brining the Centre into the picture, it is felt. 

Speaking to The Hans India, a senior BJP leader said, “Janasena Chief Pawan Kalyan, who has cordial relations with both the TRS and TDP, who is on padayatra in both the States, is acting on behalf of the two Telugu Chief Ministers, it is suspected. 

Taking a similar view, another senior leader from CPI (M) said, “The major issue between the two is irrigation projects like the stand taken by AP on Pulichintala and the stand taken by the TRS on Polavaram.” However, despite a positive approach towards the Centre, both the governments are increasingly expressing their disappointment over the way Centre delaying in delivering on the promises under the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act2014.

Adding insult to injury, BJP units in both the Telugu states have taken a hardline position against the ruling TRS and TDP in TS and AP, respectively. The criticism of the ruling parties in both the States is that they could implement schemes like 24/7 power supply, financial assistance for irrigation projects and the like due to a liberal Central assistance and cooperation.

However, a senior TDP leader from East Godavari said “the 24/7 power scheme was rolled out after the State joining the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), like any other State in the country. Besides, the State government had made a series of efforts in bringing necessary changes in production, transmission and distribution.” And, Telangana has joined in the UDAY scheme after the AP.

Similarly, in case of irrigation projects both the governments have been availing loans from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), sanctioned from the Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIEF) under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and other schemes. In this case, too, the State governments are availing financial assistance like any other state in the country, for example, Gujarat, Karnataka and others, he said.

The speculation on TRS and TDP coming together is based on the theory that such an outcome would strengthen the hands. The two parties together may with 42 members in Lok Sabha can exert pressure on the Centre in securing greater financial aid. Apart from it, the combination can checkmate the Congress and YSRCP in AP and BJP and the Congress in Telangana State. 

By PRC Phaniharan