Naidu rules out poll truck with Cong, TRS

AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu takes objection to TDP alliance with Cong in recent SCCL union poll

Hyderabad: TDP national President N Chandrababu Naidu poured cold water on the hopes of TTDP senior leaders who were in favour of joining hands with main opposition Congress in 2019 hustings in Telangana. The TDP Chief ruled out having any such truck with Congress party.

A group of leaders, headed by working President A Revanth Reddy, is among them who was inclined to fight TRS in next elections by joining with Congress. Another group headed by Party Telangana unit President L Ramana and others expressed the opinion that there could be some alliance with TRS.

Naidu held two-hour meeting with Telangana leaders at his residence in Hyderabad on Sunday which was attended by Telangana party unit leaders and politburo members. He took strong objection to the decision of Telangana leaders to join hands with Congress in the just concluded elections to workers unions in Singareni Collieries Company Limited in which TRS affiliated union – TBGKS - registered resounding victory.

Chandrababu told the leaders that since Congress was principal rival to TDP, people would not support TDP and Congress combine in any election. He also explained the outcome of the bye election to Paleru Assembly constituency in which TDP extended outside support to Congress candidate which proved to be a futile attempt as TRS won the seat.

He also took strong objection to the leaders' frequent statements on the possible alliance with ruling TRS. Naidu told the leaders that it was the TRS headed by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao which mauled TDP by poaching all senior leaders and legislators. Naidu ruled out joining hands with TRS in Telangana. The party working President Revanth Reddy is also said to have opposed other senior leaders including Mothkupally Narasimhulu' s proposal to sail with TRS in the coming days.

Naidu warned his leaders to stop making statements on poll alliances in advance. Sources said Naidu maintained soft stand on BJP as the party was already partner in BJP-led NDA government at the centre. He made inquiries about the strength of Left parties in Telangana.

The TDP supremo also expressed serious reservations on senior leaders’ attitude and their failure in consolidating the party and leadership in Telangana.

Meanwhile, party politburo member R Chandrasekhar Reddy told mediapersons, that Naidu will decide the TDP alliance with other parties at the right time.

On the instructions of the party Chief, leaders will strive to strengthen TDP from grass roots level before the next elections in Telangana, he added.