Poll fever: Cong strikes deal with CPI, TRS

Hyderabad, Jun 11 (UNI) The ruling Congress today struck an alliance with the CPI and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for the local body elections scheduled for June 28 and July two in the state, CPI State Secretary K Narayana today said.

The seat-sharing formula will be decided after talks with Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President K Keshava Rao, the CPI leader told newmpersons here.

The CPI had sought ten per cent of Zilla Parishad Territorial Constitutency (ZPTC) seats in the state.

Stating that the CPI would not hesitate to contest against the TRS where it had strong presence, Mr Narayana said seat-sharing would be finalised on June 17.

Senior TRS leader and Union Minister A Narendra said his party had joined hands with the Congress to defeat the Telugu Desam Party(TDP).

''We will finalise the seats after discussing the issue with the party's local cadre. The TRS will not field candidates against the CPI as this would benefit the TDP,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Keshava Rao said the Congress would accept the CPI (M)'s demands and forge an alliance for the elections.

Addressing the press here, Mr Rao said the party has decided to give Nalgonda Zilla Parishad (ZP) Chairman's post to the CPM after dicussing the issue with district leaders and Ministers.

The CPM was demanding chairmen posts for Nalgonda and Khammam districts and trying to make alliance with the TDP.

Mr Rao Said the Congress was also ready to give 50 per cent more seats to the CPM in Nalgonda district and will hold discussions with it on seat-sharing.

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