Political scenario turns unclear in AP

The nebulous political scenario in the state has given rise to rank opportunism, with perhaps, except for the Congress, every party is in talks with every other party for forging an alliance for the 2009 general and assembly elections.

Leading the pack is Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), who on Tuesday indicated that he is putting together a grand alliance comprising the TRS, the Prajarajyam of Chiranjeevi and the two Left parties. At the same time, both TRS and Telugu Desam Party sources have indicated that they are in talks with each other with regard to an alliance.

“While TRS and TDP are ready to sew up a deal, there is an opposition from the rank and file of the former in Telangana. They want a clear enunciation of the Telanagana policy from TDP. What is more they also want to assess who is more stronger - TDP or Chiranjeevi’s Prajarajyam,” a political analyst said.

While the CPM is toying with the idea of sailing with the TDP, the CPI is keeping its options open. Denying that the party has struck any alliance with the TRS as was claimed by KCR two days ago, CPI state secretary K Narayana said on Tuesday that he had met KCR and also Chiranjeevi on the issue of alliance but that nothing had as yet been finalised. The two Left parties are scheduled to hold a joint meeting on Wednesday to discuss their options.

Prajarajyam Party spokesperson P Mitra confirmed on Tuesday that a meeting did take place between Chiranjeevi and Narayana on September 21 but that only views were exchanged on various issues. “The PRP is ready to join the CPI in agitations on common issues but no poll alliances have been discussed or finalised,” he said.

The present hazy situation would clear a little bit by the middle of October, by when the Telugu Desam Party is expected to announce its Telangana policy and the fate of Prajarajyam will be a little more clear. “For its political survival, the TDP would have no option but to announce a pro-Telangana policy and go for a tie-up with either TRS or the Nava Telangana Praja Party of T Devender Goud. Chiranjeevi too would have to go for a similar tie up with a Telangana regional party. Who ties up with whom will depend on the number of seats asked and given,” said one leader.

The two Left parties appear to be going in different directions at present, with the CPM threatening to sail with the TDP and the CPI indicating its preference for Chiranjeevi.
Only the Congress, being politically isolated at present, seems to be blissfully saved of this excruciating exercise. However, analysts do not rule out a sudden shift in the party on the Telangana issue which would make even more interesting the run up to the next year’s polls.