Congress, TRS vie for MIM support - TeluguPeople.com News

Hyderabad: Amidst indications of a split verdict in Telangana, the Congress has started making efforts in right earnest to stitch together a coalition government in the new State.

As part of the government formation initiative, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Ponnala Lakshmaiah held talks with the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi at an undisclosed venue in the city.

The details of the one-on-one meeting were not disclosed but it is learnt that the two leaders have come to a broad understanding on forming a coalition government in the event of a split verdict and the Congress emerging as the single largest party.

Already, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which is expected to emerge as single largest party in the region, has expressed willingness to take the help of MIM and other independents to form the government.

The Congress wants to ensure that the MIM does not go with the TRS at any cost. It is ready to offer a fair deal to the MIM in return for its support in forming the government. It might ask the MIM to join the government and might even offer the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

According to sources, the Congress is estimating that it would win about 49 seats in Telangana Assembly and the TRS about 47. This would lead to a situation where both parties would not be able to form the government on their own. The half way mark in the119-member Assembly is 60.

The Congress is hoping that it would form the government with the help of its ally CPI, besides the MIM and independents. A senior Congress leader said that as per the information available with them, the MIM would win 7, the CPI 3 and the YSR Congress party 2.

The combined strength of these parties would be 12. If this is added to Congress tally, it would go to 61. This number is enough to form the government.

On the other hand, the TRS with 47 seats would not be in a position to form the government as it has no pre-poll allies. The regional party is trying to get MIM on board and the party leaders are making efforts in that direction.

If the MIM opts for TRS, then it would mar the Congress' chances. Unless the MIM lends its support, the TRS will not be in a position to form the government.

If not MIM, the TRS has to seek the support of Telugu Desam Party which is not possible in the present conditions. The Congress is expecting that the TDP is likely to win 14 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party 2.