Parties begin hunt for allies and leaders

HYDERABAD: The political landscape in the State changed considerably, a day after the Election Commission announced the poll schedule. Even as political migrations continued in Seemandhra, the MIM almost decided to sever ties with the Congress and former chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy finally, after dithering for an eternity, announced his intention to float a new party ostensibly to protect the 'self-respect' of Telugus.

Addressing a press conference at his Madhapur office, Kiran said he would launch his party at a public meeting in Rajahmundry on March 12. To a query, he replied his party would contest the elections across the State as per its convenience.

'The TDP and the YSRC compromised on Samaikyandhra for the sake of power whereas the two national parties, Congress and the BJP, colluded to split the State. That is why we have together (a few expelled MPs from the Congress are with him) decided to float a new party for upholding the Telugu pride and self-respect,' he told reporters.

The Congress made light of Kiran's move. 'I wonder how well attended his party will be?' quipped party spokesman Shashi Tharoor in Delhi.

In Hyderabad, the Congress received a jolt with ally, MIM, reconsidering bilateral ties in a bid to make new friends in Telangana and Seemandhra.

MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi held talks with PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana at the Gandhi Bhavan and minutes later, MIM leader and Hyderabad mayor M Majid Hussain announced he would resign Friday.

It is learnt that Majid was asked to resign by the MIM leadership as the party has decided to sever ties with the Congress and fight the impending municipal polls without the alliance.

Though the Congress and the TRS are trying to woo the MIM for a pre-poll alliance, the MIM leadership might decide on it only after the municipal polls.

Following bifurcation of the State, the MIM is understood to be keen on expanding its base in Telangana and Seemandhra. Party insiders say the MIM wants to field more Hindu candidates and woo Seemandhra voters.

On the other hand, back-channel negotiations between the Congress and the TRS continued on Thursday over seat-sharing.

Meanwhile, actor Pawan Kalyan indicated that he may hold a press conference this Sunday to unveil his political plans.

Earlier in the day, former union minister Daggubati Purandeswari and her husband Venkateswara Rao, who had quit the Congress following the State division, indicated they would join the BJP after meeting the latter's top brass on Friday.