CPI reaches partial understanding with Cong

Hyderabad, June 19 (UNI) The CPI today agreed to contest 40 ZPTC seats offered by the ruling Congress as against over 100 demanded by it in the two-phase polls to Panchayati Raj bodies on June 28 and July two.

Unhappy with the Congress response after another round of talks with Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and K Keshava Rao, CPI State Secretary K Narayana told UNI tonight, ''With a heavy heart, we are accepting about 40 ZPTC seats offered by the Congress. We will contest on our own strength in Medak and Visakhapatnam as an agreement is not possible with the ruling party.'' A clear understanding was proving elusive for some seats in West Godavari, Karimnagar, Adilabad and Anantapur districts too, he said.

Irked by the Congress' attitude, the CPI had withdrawn from talks and complained to CPI Central Leader D Raja. It came back to the negotating table only after by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's political Secretary Ahmed Patel intervened.

Mr Narayana was also keen to avoid direct contest with the CPI(M), which had announced electoral adjustments with the opposition TDP.

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