TJS caught in a bind over its pound of flesh

​Hyderabad: The Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) is in a Catch-22 situation as far as ensuing Assembly elections are concerned. The new political outfit has pinned hopes on stitching Mahakutami after Congress, TDP, CPI and TJS have decided to wage a common fight against TRS. But after series of meetings and discussions spread over the last 50 days, there is still no clarity on seat sharing among alliance parties. This has prompted TJS and even CPI to review its future course of action for the elections.

In this regard, TJS has convened a crucial State committee meeting on October 24. Confusion is prevailing among TJS ranks over the number of seats it would contest ultimately in the wake of deliberate leaks to media that Kodandaram-led party would be given only a few seats. Firstly, it was said that TJS would get 2 or 3 seats, but latest reports indicate that Congress is ready to give 8 seats. TJS sources say Kodandaram had rejected the offer and also another proposal of TJS candidates contesting on Congress symbol.

With elections less than 50 days away, this uncertainty has led to unrest and difference of opinions among TJS leaders. In the recent core-committee meetings, TJS leadership took strong objection to the way Congress was treating them with leaks and statements that TJS has no presence in districts, it has no prominent names to contest in the election, it cannot win even two seats on its own etc.

TJS official spokesperson G Venkat Reddy stated the State committee comprising 60 members representing all districts will hold a key meeting on October 24 to finalise TJS's approach and stand in the election. He said the first objective was to be part of the alliance. TJS is not seeking a huge quota, what we want is a respectable figure and hopefully Congress will take note of it as early as possible, Venkat Reddy said.

Meanwhile, speculations are rife that TJS would think of coming out of Congress-led Mahakutami if there was no positive word from Congress on seat sharing. TJS is expecting a figure between 12 to 16 seats, while Congress had stuck to just 8 or 9 seats, out of which two or three are in Old City-a MIM stronghold. The new political outfit is likely to field candidates in nearly 40 assembly constituencies, in which it is confident of putting up a strong fight. Fielding candidates in all 119 segments is not part of TJS's plans as the party chief already stated that early elections had affected few months old party plans to penetrate into all districts.

TJS camp is confident of winning at least 20 seats on its own backed by public support. On the other hand, TJS has put off its public meeting in Warangal on October 23 in view of the uncertain political situation. Party leaders said that meeting is likely to be held in the first week of November by which there would be clarity on TJS approach for the election.

“TJS would spell out its stand, explain reasons to public for any decision it would take and seek people support in the Warangal meeting. Since the situation is not clear at present, holding a public meeting would lead to more confusion among the cadre and public and hence a decision was taken to postpone it to a later date, preferably on November 4," a leader said.