Telangana Elections: CPI threatens to walk out of alliance if Congress doesn't finalise seat-sharing formula soon

Miffed at the delay in reaching a decision over seat-sharing, the CPI indicated it is also mulling the option of contesting independently.

File Photo- CPI National General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy/ Image Courtesy: PTI

New Delhi: Building pressure over Congress, the Communist Party of India virtually set October 21 as the deadline for the Congress to finalise the seat-sharing formula for their alliance formed for the upcoming assembly elections. Miffed at the delay in reaching a decision over seat-sharing the CPI indicated it is also mulling the option of contesting independently. Weeks ago, Congress stitched an electoral alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) for the December 7 elections to 119-member Assembly. As per the sources in Congress, the seat-distribution is driven by the “winnability” chances in the constituencies but the three parties (TDP, CPI and TJS) are demanding more than their fair share, news agency PTI reported. Speaking to the agency on Wednesday, CPI National General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said: "We can't wait for them (the Congress) eternally (to finalise seat-sharing). On October 21st, our state party executive is meeting. We will decide whether we should go with the alliance or we should decide our own of way of contesting independently", Reddy said. "We will discuss what is to be done,” he added. CPI wants to contest from 12 assembly seats of which it is keen to contest on nine, and has already handed over the list of the seats. "We are ready for negotiation...one or two seats less also. (We are ready to settle for) seven-eight (seats)," Reddy said. When asked for his reaction, R C Khuntia sought to downplay the threat. Khuntia, in fact, said he had a lengthy discussion with senior CPI leader D Raja last night on the seat sharing issue. AICC In-Charge of Telananga downplayed the threat and told PTI that talks are going on with the constituent parties and the seat-sharing talks very soon CPI said that it entered into an alliance with Ajit Jogi’s Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) for the assembly polls in the state next month. (With inputs from PTI)