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Leaders of Telangana Congress feel that the party’s decision to contest the assembly elections in an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) did more harm than good, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.
The Congress had jointly fought the state polls with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and Communist Party of India (CPI).
Despite intense campaigning by national and local level leaders, the alliance lost, winning just 21 out of the 119 assembly seats. Out of these, Congress won 19 and the TDP won two. The other two allies could not win any seat.
After the results were declared, Congress leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) Vijayashanti told the newspaper that he had cautioned the party against forging an alliance with the TDP, as people in the state are still upset with Naidu due to his opposition to Telangana’s creation. However, it was high command’s decision to go for the alliance, he said, adding that the party should be cautious now.
The Congress’ Telangana campaign committee chairman, Malli Bhatti Vikramarka also did not give any assurance to continue the electoral alliance in the state, the report suggests.
“We cannot say now whether the alliance will continue. The party high command will take a call,” he told the newspaper.
TDP is however hopeful that the alliance will continue. “I do not see any reason why the experiment should fizzle out,” Telangana TDP General Secretary Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy said. Referring to the presence of Naidu in oath taking ceremony of Congress leaders, he said “that shows we are still united.”
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) retained power in the state by winning 88 seats.
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