ANANTAPUR: The seat-sharing understanding between Congress and CPI and Telugu Desam Part and CPI (M) for the Panchayat Raj bodies' elections is yet to be finalised in the district even as the process of elections commenced with the filing of nominations on Tuesday.

While leaders of both Left parties were touch with the Congress leaders of the district till Monday, the CPI (M) leaders decided against approaching the Congress in the wake of the State Congress leadership's statement that there won't be any truck with CPI (M) as the party had already arrived at an understanding with TDP in several districts.

Negligent response

Leaders of Congress and CPI already had several rounds of talks over seat-sharing but they were yet to be clinched.

The CPI is learnt to be asking for seven ZPTC seats and six MPTC posts. The CPI cadres are learnt to be exerting pressure on their district leadership not to budge under pressure from Congress as the response of the latter was negligent.

On the other hand, the TDP district leadership is yet to receive any particular directions from the party high command over the possible truck with CPI (M). Leaders of TDP and CPI (M) are learnt to have exchanged views during a protest programme against the hike in petrol and diesel prices held in the town on Tuesday and also spoke over phone informally.

Troubled waters

The CPI (M) is also yet to make its mind clear to the TDP. But, the party is learnt to be planning to contest at least 10 ZPTC and 78 MPTC seats alone, in case they fail to arrive at an understanding with the TDP. Understanding between CPI and CPI (M) also appears to be in troubled waters this time with the two parties choosing different allies.

Bharatiya Janata Party, which was in alliance with Telugu Desam Party last time, has no ally this time and keeping its track record in the district so far it is difficult for the party to penetrate at rural level.

Meanwhile, no nominations were filed for ZPTC seats in the district on Tuesday.

But, five nomination papers were filed for MPTC setas.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail