Mega Alliance Against Ruling congress in AP

By Swati Reddy

In a bonhomie not displayed to the public since they parted ways in 2000, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday more than indicated that they, along with the two Left parties, will fight the 2009 elections as alliance partners.

The stated reason for their meeting on Monday was to submit a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil against corruption in the state and other issues. But the fact that KCR drove down to Naidu's residence to ride together, and Naidu dropping by at the TRS chief's residence to have tea and meet up with Mrs Chandrasekhar Rao, seem to convey to the media that the alliance between them is more or less in their bag.

“A joint announcement would be made during the auspicious Uttarayana period after Sankranti,” a beaming KCR told the media at his residence on Monday night. Confirming that TRS has joined the TDP-Left alliance was the presence of CPM state secretary B V Raghavulu and CPI state secretary K Narayana with Naidu and KCR throughout the evening.

Addressing the media, both Naidu and KCR said their coming together was a positive development and would go a long way in defeating the Congress in the state.

KCR said TRS would work with TDP and the Left to expose the Congress government’s misdeeds in the state.

Calling it a "positive development," Naidu said this is the beginning for a political battle." When asked about the CPM's opposition to Telangana, KCR said its general secretary Prakash Karat had told him in New Delhi recently that they would review their stand on separate state soon.

Replying to volley of questions, Raghavulu said “the four parties will launch a fight till the Congress is thrown out of power.” Narayana said the dinner meeting sends a clear indication of the unfolding political scenario in the state. The joint war against the government had begun by submission of a joint memorandum to the President on corruption and demolition of houses in Bheemraobada ousting poor people to construct a party office.