HYDERABAD: The Congress has begun exploring alliance options with its allies of the last general election — the CPI(M), the CPI and the TRS — for the panchayat elections.

A CPI delegation led by its Andhra Pradesh secretary K. Narayana met APCC president K. Keshava Rao on Thursday to discuss the issue. After the first round of talks, Mr. Narayana told reporters: "This is a give-and-take-exercise if one may call it so. For example, we may demand everything and they may concede nothing. Finally, it will be a matter of adjustments to defeat our rivals." He was firm about continuing the alliance with the Congress.

The PCC president, on the other hand, began meeting CPI(M) leaders, including general secretary Prakash Karat, to discuss the alliance issue. The CPI(M) leader is here in connection with the meeting of the party's Central Committee. "It is more a courtesy call as I know Mr. Karat well. We decided to meet in the morning and that's it. Of course, other things too cropped up," Dr. Keshava Rao said in an indication that issues relating to panchayat elections also figured at the meeting. Dr. Keshava Rao and CPI(M) State secretary B. V. Raghavulu spoke on the telephone on Wednesday night on the issue of electoral adjustments. "Both parties agree that we are the natural allies and there should be no question of our not having an understanding. Some differences may be there but these could be sorted out soon," the Congress leaders said. He said talks with the TRS leadership too were underway.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was closeted with his Cabinet after its formal meeting to discuss the panchayat elections. He reportedly advised the Ministers to get back to their districts and focus on educating the people about developmental programmes of the Congress regime.

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