APCC upset over TRS leaders' statements on Cong

Hyderabad, Jul 11 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today condemned the intransigent attitude of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leaders and use of unparliamentary language against it.

Speaking to newsmen here, APCC General Secretary Danam Nagender accused the TRS of speaking lies on the Congress-TRS alliance and indulging in blackmail.

The Congress agreed to take TRS along with in the local body elections despite its poor strength, he said.

''Surveys said the TRS was capable of winning just 25 to 30 seats of nearly 400 seats in Telangana. We offered them 68 and they won just 25. In mandals, where they preferred to challenge the Congress in friendly contests, the TRS suffered worst defeats,'' he said.

Recalling the joint press conference of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and TRS Leader Narendra, Mr Nagender said Mr Narendra openly expressed full satisfaction over the seat-sharing with the Congress.

''Despite an accord, TRS fielded candidates where we contested.

The Congress was also forced to act similarly at the last minute when it realized the TRS was trying to sabotage its prospects.

Later, Mr Narendra told the press that TRS was capable of defeating Congress,'' he explained.

APCC Secretary Yadava Reddy said in poll alliance, a partner who won the majority was entitled for ZP or Mandal Parishad. He said the Congress even then agreed to give mandals where the TRS could not secure majority.

''In Karimnagar and Warangal, the TRS got just three and six of 57 and 50 seats respectively. Since the TDP was just ahead of Congress by one or two votes, the TRS, which holds the balance with its meagre strength, began to blackmail us.

They demanded one ZP and extra three vice-chairmen posts. They said while they would not vote for the TDP, they would not mind their winning against Congress,'' he claimed.

Mr Reddy said APCC President K Keshav Rao met TRS Chief K Chandrasekhar Rao. Mr Rao asked for one ZP, preferably Karimnagar.

''But due to stiff resistance from senior leaders, the Congress expressed his inability to spare Karimnagar.

In the follow up talks,Mr Narendra and the party began to arm twist Congress and demand extra three vice chairmen posts.

The Congress agreed to it to avoid crisis. Nizamabad ZP was agreed to be given along with Karimnagar, Warangal and Medak Vice-Chairmen posts.

Though Mr Narendra and all his friends thanked them, they played a big hoax. They indulged in despicable fraud and cheating.

They gave the impression the members were being sent to district headquarters for poll meeting while they were in fact kept in Hyderabad,'' he added.

Mr Reddy said to honour the understanding and to accomodate TRS issues, both Mr Narendra and APCC President agreed to get the election meetings adjourned.

The Congress, which enjoyed an absolute majority in Nizamabad, stayed out to accommodate TRS.

''Similarly in Medak where it has absolute majority, it elected only the chairman and kept vice chairman post vacant to acccomodate TRS as promised in the accord.

Despite such fair play, Mr Narendra spoke to media cheaply, he alleged.

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