Though the CPI and the CPI(M) reconciled with the Congress' offer of two Assembly seats and one MLC seat each, there is still no consensus on which Assembly seats.
Published Oct 17, 2023 | 10:32 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 17, 2023 | 10:33 PM
File photo of a Telangana Congress rally. (Supplied)
The logjam continues over seat-sharing between the Congress and the two Communist parties for the upcoming Telangana Assembly elections.
Though the CPI and the CPI(M) reconciled with the Congress’ offer of two Assembly seats and one MLC seat each, there is still no consensus on which Assembly seats.
The new proposal was something that both the Communist parties were not expecting. As time is fast running out, the Left parties have to arrive at a decision quickly.
The CPI is asking for Kothagudem and Munugode, while the CPI(M) wants Miryalaguda and either Bhadrachalam or Palair.
The Congress wants the Communist parties to accept one seat of its choice while letting them pick one seat of their own.
The Congress, according to sources, is willing to offer Kothagudem to the CPI, but is not very forthcoming in ceding Munugode.
The grand old party suggested that the CPI contest from Chennur. But the CPI turned down the offer and is reportedly insisting on Munugode.
The CPI(M), meanwhile, is seeking Miryalaguda and either Palair or Bhadrachalam. Though the Congress is ready to offer Miryalauguda, it has not yet zeroed in on the other seat it would be comfortable to cede.
The problem the Congress is facing now is that it has to accommodate two important leaders who joined its ranks recently — former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and former minister Thummala Nageswara Rao — in seats of their choice.
The Congress is trying to convince Thummala Nageswara Rao to move to Khammam while contemplating fielding Ponguleti from Palair, but that is easier said than done.
The CPI(M) is insisting on Palair as its state secretary Thammineni Veerabhadram wants to contest from there.
Giving the seat to the CPI(M) would upset Ponguleti, while giving it to the former MP might alienate the Left party, to the extent that it might even break its alliance. The political knot is too complicated to untangle easily.
Another seat that the CPI(M) has sought is Bhadracahalam, which is held by the Congress. Sitting MLA Podem Veeraiah is seeking re-election to the Assembly from there.
As the Congress cannot offer this seat, the CPI(M) is insisting on Palair. The approach that the Left party has taken is to first ask for seats the Congress cannot give, and then insist on Palair, which is held by the BRS now.
