TRS rubs salt into TDP wounds
As the Telugu Desam Party is locked in a fierce tangle with its ally BJP on seat sharing for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation polls in as many as half a dozen divisions, the ruling TRS is rubbing salt into the wounds of the TDP by strategising on capitalising the discontent in its rivals.
CASHING IN ON TUSSLE AMONG ALLIES
Hyderabad: As the Telugu Desam Party is locked in a fierce tangle with its ally BJP on seat sharing for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation polls in as many as half a dozen divisions, the ruling TRS is rubbing salt into the wounds of the TDP by strategising on capitalising the discontent in its rivals.
Though the TDP and the BJP came to an understanding on the number of seats each party should contest on behalf of the alliance, the tussle seems to be hotting up on certain seats especially those held by the TDP in the last GHMC council. The earlier understanding was that the two parties would retain the seats they held in the ongoing council.
But, the BJP claimed the seats TDP held. Even as the TDP leadership is ready to compromise, the pressure from the party grassroots activist is turning into a headache for the TDP. The two parties are locked in a stalemate at least in five to six divisions, reveal the sources.
The BJP is taking an upper hand in the seat negotiations as its central leadership including Prakash Javadekar is involved in the talks whereas TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu is reportedly keeping a distance from the GHMC poll talks.
The TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh is negotiating. But, Lokesh lacks the political acumen and stature as compared to BJP central leadership, said a senior TDP leader visibly annoyed over Chandrababu Naidu’s intransigence. If Naidu is at the forefront of seat adjustment talks, the BJP would not have claimed our pound of flesh, opines a senior party leader who is involved in the negotiations.
The TDP circles argue that they have relatively stronger base in the city especially among the Seemandhra voters who constitute a decisive force in about 40 seats. But, the BJP on the other hand argues that with senior TDP leaders’ defecting to the TRS, the party no longer retains the popularity it earlier enjoyed, told a senior BJP leader.
The BJP is also putting an argument that there is no guarantee that the corporators elected on TDP banner will remain with the party after the polls. Much to the irritation of the TDP leadership the BJP leaders have reportedly told this to their ally citing the recent spate of defections from TDP including many legislators elected on TDP ticket in 2014.
Meanwhile, the TRS is reportedly in touch with the TDP aspirants wherever the TDP concedes to the BJP demand. The TRS leadership has reportedly sent signals to accommodate some of the TDP strongmen as their candidates recalling their announced candidates too by the time of withdrawals.
Though the TDP and BJP are publicly claiming that they are not particular of who will contest but only looking at the winnability factor. But, insiders from both the parties told The Hans India that each is keen on exploiting other’s weaknesses and benefit from their ally’s strength. Meanwhile, the supporters of both the parties’ fear that the prolonged tangle between two parties ultimately disrupting the chemistry even as a formal agreement is arrived at.
