Do YSRC, TRS have a secret deal in Andhra?

VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 04 Mar 2012 11:18:52 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The alleged nexus between the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has become a subject of hot debate in political circles ahead of the by-elections in seven Assembly constituencies in the state.

There are allegations that the two parties have colluded with each other. The rumblings are more from the main opposition party, Telugu Desam (TDP), which sees TRS as a main threat in the Telangana and YSRCP in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

What is the basis for the politicians to go to town on the alleged nexus?. They point out that TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao was in touch with YSRC party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over phone. “Rao is seeking money from Jagan during his telephone talk,” TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has alleged.

TRS activists obstructed the tours of Chandrababu Naidu in Telangana. They hurled eggs and stones on the convoy of Naidu. But TRS activists did not obstruct Jagan’s tour of Armoor in Nizamabad district where he undertook a two-day fast for farmers.

When Jagan held a similar dharna in Hyderabad some time back there was no opposition from the TRS. “All these prove that TRS and YSRC party have a secret understanding,” TDP leaders alleged.

Naidu has made another allegation that former minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, who resigned as an MLA and is contesting on TRS ticket was actually Jagan’s man. “Jupalli is a Jagan’s man. He joined the TRS and is contesting again. This shows the nexus between the YSRCP and TRS,” Naidu alleged.

On the other hand, TRS chief Rao declared that his party would extend support to the Andhra Rashtra Samithi (ARS) candidate in Kovur in Nellore district and campaign against the TDP there. Rao’s critics say that campaigning against the TDP means supporting the YSRCP.

“Casting a vote for YSRC party candidate is accepting the division of the state,” said minor irrigation minster TG Venkatesh, indirectly hinting that YSRCP and TRS have a nexus.

Some say that YSRCP did not field its candidates in the six constituencies in Telangana because of its understanding with the TRS. However, YSRCP leaders clarified that they were supporting the separate Telangana statehood demand and did not field their candidates against those MLAs who resigned in support of the statehood cause.