New coalition likely in AP to change electoral equation

The electoral equation in Andhra Pradesh is set to change with the coalition of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS). Telugu Desam Party, which so far has been opposing bifurcation of state into forming of separate Telangana Rashtra demanding by TRS, discussed on Tuesday the matter (separate Telangana state) at a crucial meeting of the Politburo chaired by the party chief Chandrababu Naidu. The coalition of TDP-TRS decision may be announced on October 9. However the TDP chief may have another round of discussions with senior party leader before finally announcing the decision on Thursday, coinciding with the Vijaya Dashami festival. The decision was taken on the basis of a report submitted by a five-member committee set up to find the ways on Telangana. A majority of party leaders have reportedly supported a pro-Telangana stand considering the overwhelming statehood sentiment in the region. To supporting the separate Telangana state will be a major deviation from TDP?s stand which has been opposing bifurcation of state ever since its formation in 1982 on the plank of ?Telugu pride.? On the other hand, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is also considering to tie up with any formidable party in the state; the decision may be announced after party?s central committee meeting scheduled in Kolkata on October 12. Prakash Karat, the CPI-M general secretary said on Tuesday, after the attending the two-day meeting of the state unit of CPI-M, that the electoral alliance in Andhra Pradesh would be in tune with the party's efforts to form a third alternative to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The alliance partner could be TDP, TRS and CPI, he said. Reacting on the development, the BJP national secretary N Indrasena Reddy said the alliance is forging to cheat people of Telangana as TRS and TDP have different stand; while the former is pro-Telangana and formed the party with the sole aim to achieve separate statehood for Telangana, the latter is against-Telangana. The Assembly and Parliamentary elections are likely to be held in the first quarter, next year. Recently, Praja Rajyam was formed by the Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi; his popularity among the people has generated another threat to all political parties. Ruling Congress and BJP have already been expressed their willingness to tie up with Praja Rajyam.