TJS holds talks with Cong on firming up alliance

: Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) chief M Kodandaram Friday held talks with Congress president Rahul Gandhi on firming up an alliance for the December 7 assembly elections in the state.

TJS is a partner in the proposed "grand alliance" (comprising Congress, TDP, CPI and TJS) for the polls.

Kodandaram, who met Gandhi in Delhi, told reporters that the proposed alliance has created confidence among people that change and a democratic rule over an "autocratic rule" (of TRS) is possible.

"Since it (grand alliance) created such a strong confidence, we said better results can be achieved if it is formed early and it starts functioning.

So, formation of alliance should be expedited. (We) should work together for a joint action plan," he said.

Gandhi assured complete cooperation and asked Congress leaders to take steps for early formation of the alliance, he said.

TJS would continue talks with state Congress leaders in Hyderabad and try to form the alliance at the earliest, he said.

Though the alliance partners have had several rounds of discussions on seat-sharing and other issues, they have not reached a final agreement.

"TJS has sought 17 assembly segments (total number of seats is 119) and the party feels that it can contest 15," Kodandaram said.

Kodandaram was Chairman of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) which spearheaded the separate Telangana agitation.

During the agitation, the JAC had comprised several political parties, including TRS, and various people's organisations.

However, differences cropped up between Kodandaram and TRS after the party formed the government in separate Telangana in 2014.