TRS-Cong indulges in Tom and Jerry play

HYDERABAD:: It is now more or less certain that the TRS, prime-mover of the statehood movement, is veering towards fighting it alone in the ensuing elections. Though the issue is expected to be formally discussed at the TRS politburo meeting on March 3, all indications suggest the chances of an alliance with the Congress are remote, forget merger.

While acknowledging that they had, in the past, offered to merge the party with the Congress if a T state was formed, TRS leaders cite umpteen factors that cropped up in the recent past that are making even a 'working relationship' with Congress almost impossible.

Factors that led TRS to see red are:

Congress attempts to neutralise TRS by poaching even while claiming that talks are on. Having admitted two TRS leaders - MP Vijayashanti and MLA Aravind Reddy - into its fold, the Congress unleashed them against KCR.

Unwillingness of the Congress to neither recognise TRS contribution in the creation of T State nor the understanding of its leaders on the reconstruction of the new State. In other words, Congress wants TRS to first 'surrender' before any negotiations.

Snide and open remarks by even Union Ministers that TRS leaders are not good at administration and their attempts to reduce the influence of the party by luring TJAC representatives who were part of the T movement.

Increasing pressure from cadre and members of the civil society against merger: they feel the Congress will do to the TRS what it did to Kejriwal and Chiranjeevi. They also feel the TRS should not be weighed down by the severe anti-Congress mood among people across the country.

At no point during the entire process of passing the AP Reorganisation Bill-2014 in Parliament was the TRS consulated on any aspect.

Top functionaries of the TRS pointed out that the Congress took the decision in favour of Telangana only after the realisation that its prospects in a united Andhra Pradesh have completely dwindled owing to the 'misrule' both in the State and at the Centre.

'Strictly speaking, the new State was created for political expediency and not as a recognition of the sentiment of the people of Telangana. We are also conscious of the fact that people of Telangana have high hopes about future in the new State.

Should we not bear that in mind? Is there any Congress leader who has the same kind of vision for T state as KCR does?' a TRS leader questioned.

According to him, none in the Congress has any prescription for the new State like the way the TRS has. In the absence of that, if the TRS still bends the way the Congress wants, the whole purpose of achieving a T state would be lost.

Also, TRS leaders point out that at a time when regional parties are expected to play a key role in national politics, it is important for the TRS to retain its identity. TRS leader KT Rama Rao told Express, 'We did want to explore ways of associating with the Congress. But, the attitude being displayed by its leaders is making that task difficult.'

Privately, though, TRS leaders admit Telangana state would not have been a reality but for the determination shown by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. How the TRS will acknowledge this contribution while staying away from the Congress is a million dollar question. T Congress leaders, meanwhile, seemed clueless about the talks with TRS as Delhi is dealing with KCR.