Chandrasekhara Rao all set to join TDP-Left combine

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 04 Jan 2009 10:41:00 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has almost decided to sail with the TDPLeft combine in the next elections.
It is expected to make an official announcement before the first week of February.
‘‘The TRS will make its stand public at an appropriate time, leaving no chance for the enemy (read Congress) to undertake any damage control exercise,’’ party sources said.
The pink party believes that the ‘grand alliance’ of TDP-CPI-CPM-TRS would sweep the entire Telangana region in the ensuing elections. The parties are likely to hold a joint meeting in the region in February first week for which, besides leaders of the respective parties, those from other States like Jayalalithaa are expected to attend. According to TRS sources, the meeting could be held at Bhongir in Nalgonda district.
Until an official announcement has been made on TRS joining the Left-TDP combine, the separatist party would work with them on various issues.
The party leaders will be part of a delegation led by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu to President Pratibha Patil. The delegation will submit a memorandum to the President on Big Fish scam in the fisheries department.
The TRS will also participate in a protest to be staged by the Left-TDP combine on the scam. The programme will be organised before Sankranti, according to TRS sources. TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao had participated in a dharna along with Naidu and Left leaders against petro prices recently.
The TRS leadership oscillated between Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) and the TDP before finally deciding to go along with Left-TDP combine. This was because, the TRS chief felt the initial popularity of PRP created by Chiranjeevi was slowly waning in the State. ‘‘PRP has no strong leaders to its credit in Telangana, especially in districts like Adilabad and Warangal, even after the launch of the party four months ago,’’ the TRS leadership observed and pointed out, ‘‘PRP did not gain even in Andhra, except in five districts.’’ Moreover, the PRP is dominated by members of the Chiranjeevi family, noted TRS leaders.