Lok Sabha elections: TDP will join hands with CPI for Telangana

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has decided to have a pre-poll tie-up with the CPI and contest in at least four Parliamentary constituencies in Telangana. If the CPM, too, comes forward to join TDP-CPI alliance, TDP is willing to form TDP-CPI-CPM alliance and go to the hustings in the 2019-Lok Sabha polls.


However, no decision has been taken to extend outside support to any other party in constituencies from where TDP and its Left ally would not be in fray.

The decision to contest Lok Sabha elections in Telangana was taken to ensure that the identity of the TDP is sustained. “Unlike BJP, which contested 118 Assembly elections and lost deposit in 105 segments, TDP will not contest all 17 Lok Saba seats, but enter into electoral fray in only those constituencies from where it has winning prospects or capacity to get respectable votes,” said a senior leader who attended the meeting. TDP senior leaders who met here under the leadership of politburo member Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy decided to seek the suggestion and names of party candidates with winning prospects and sound financial background from polling booth level leaders and cadre of the party, before finalising the Lok Sabha seats and candidates. In three-four days, it would be finalised, said Chandrasekhar Reddy.

The meeting discussed over the 20 plus applications received from aspirants from the constituencies of Secunderabad, Malkajgiri, Mahabubabad, Khammam, Karimnagar, Peddapalle, Warangal, Chevella. The leaders were of the opinion that the TDP has bright chances of winning from the first four Lok Sabha constituencies mentioned above.

Sources said the meeting also discussed about the reports of party ex-MP Nama Nageswara Rao exploring his options of contesting on a TRS, Congress or TDP ticket from Khammam Lok Sabha constituency and decided to wait and watch over Nama’s next move. TDP MLA from Aswaraopet Macha Nageshwar attended the meeting and assured that he would not join TRS though he was approached by the ruling TRS with lucrative offers, sources said.

Already, TDP MLA from Sattupalli Sandra Venkata Veeraiah has announced that he is joining TRS.