Cong appears close to clinching Telangana seat-sharing formula

THE CONGRESS PLANS TO RELEASE ITS FIRST LIST OF CANDIDATES AND THE ELECTION MANIFESTO FOR THE POLLS BY FRIDAY

HYDERABAD: The Congress is likely to contest in 90 constituencies, leaving the remaining 29 seats to its alliance partners – TDP, TJS and CPI – in the upcoming Telangana assembly elections, according to people with knowledge of the developments.

Elections to the 119-member assembly will be held on December 7.

Members in the four parties, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Monday the discussions were at an advanced stage under which the TDP has been offered 15 seats, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) led by Kodandaram nine and the CPI five.

The AICC in-charge for Telangana, RC Khuntia declined an official comment on the number of seats to be contested by each party but said 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.

“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,” Khuntia told PTI.

Leaders said the four parties may come out with a common agenda in addition to individual manifesto listing their priorities.

The Congress has already announced farm loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3,000 monthly dole to unemployed youth, among other assurances, if it comes to power.

The TRS has already announced candidates for 107 constituencies and the BJP for 38.