Telangana Elections: Congress to announce seat-sharing formula soon; likely to contest on 90 seats

Telangana assembly has 119 seats out of which Congress will contest on 90 seats. TDP is likely to get 15 seats, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) led by Prof Kodandaram nine and the CPI five.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Photo: INCIndia/Twitter

New Delhi: The Congress which is contesting the upcoming December 7 polls in alliance with TDP, TJS and CPI is close to chalking out a seat-sharing formula. It is likely to contest in 90 constituencies, leaving the remaining 29 seats leaving the remaining 29 seats to its alliance partners. Telangana assembly has 119 seats out of which Congress will contest on 90 seats. TDP is likely to get 15 seats, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) led by Prof Kodandaram nine and the CPI five. The AICC In-charge for Telangana R C Khuntia said that the seat-sharing formula is expected to be announced within a day or two. He also said the Congress planned to release its first list of candidates and election manifesto for the polls by Friday. While talking to PTI, he said “Draft (of the manifesto) is ready. We have to send it to the AICC (for approval). We are trying to release it by November one. Maybe, 60-65 candidates would be announced in the first list by first or second November." Sources said the four parties may come out with a common agenda, in addition to individual manifesto listing their priorities. Congress has assured people of a farm loan waiver of upto Rs two lakh among other assurances. The Telangana Assembly Election 2018 will take place in single phase. Counting of votes would be taken up on December 11. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had announced candidates for 105 of the 119 seats in the state legislative assembly shortly after recommending dissolution of the house to the governor in September, almost nine months ahead of the expiry of its term. This time, the BJP is contesting alone in the December 7, Telangana elections.