TJS ultimatum to Congress

​Hyderabad: Despite several rounds of meetings over the last one month, cracks are appearing in the unity facade of the Mahakutami. Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) has issued a deadline of 48 hours to Congress to finalise seats quota for it. Else, Prof.Kodandaram-led party will release its first list of 21 candidates and also think of entering into a pact with like-minded parties. 

This fresh development comes in the wake of TPCC (Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee) decision to hold election meeting on its own in Mahbubnagar assembly constituency ignoring TJS's interests. TJS has submitted names of constituencies it is interested to contest and that includes Mahbubnagar also.  Even as seat-sharing talks are yet to be completed, the national party is going ahead with its second election meeting in Mahbubnagar on October 10 after kicking off campaign from Alampur last week.

TJS core committee led by Prof Kodandaram was closeted for a few hours on Tuesday to discuss these issues and consequences if Congress named its candidate in Mahbubnagar ignoring TJS' request. It was unanimously decided in the meeting to serve a 48-hour ultimatum to Congress on seat sharing. Party insiders say that national party is reluctant to let go two seats -- Mahbubnagar and Jadcherla to its alliance partners and hence this situation.

It is learnt that TJS is content if given nearly 20 seats as part of Mahakutami. Sources said that it asked for Malkajgiri, Warangal West, Ramagundam, Nizamabad, Jangaon, Karimnagar, Medak, Dubbaka, Achampet, Aler, Suryapet, Miryalaguda, Asifabad, Peddapally, Metpally, Ashwaraopet, Station Ghanpur, Mahbubnagar and Jadcherla.

TJS insiders say Congress has almost agreed to leave most of these segments barring Mahbubnagar and Jadcherla. However, final understanding has not yet been reached among Mahakutami parties, including Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI and still the suspense continues.

"The clock is ticking away and parties are left with just 50-days of campaign period. A stubborn attitude will lead us nowhere. What message does it convey if Congress holds its own election meeting in a constituency TJS is interested to contest," a leader said.

Former TNGO leader G Rajender Reddy, who actively participated in Telangana agitation being part of TJAC is the frontrunner for TJS ticket from Mahbubnagar, and the party is in no mood to give up this to alliance parties.