HYDERABAD: The standoff between Congress and its alliance partner Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) over mutual support for election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of Zilla Parishads in four districts was broken on Wednesday with the two parties signing a written agreement to adhere to the July 9 proposals.

Congress and TRS had agreed then that candidates of the former would be elected chairpersons in Karimnagar and Warangal and the latter in Nizamabad. The Congress would support the candidatures of TRS for vice-chairpersonship in Karimnagar, Warangal and Medak.

Formalised in writing

The agreement was formalised in writing by APCC president K. Keshava Rao and senior TRS leader A. Narendra on Wednesday. Though Mr. Rao was not present in person at the TRS office, he had signed the joint statement and sent the same through his emissaries.

A Congress delegation, led by M. Kodanda Reddy, had called on Mr. Narendra twice during the day to pave the way for a settlement.

On the first occasion, Mr. Narendra had apparently insisted that their oral agreement of July 9 be put on paper. The Congress leaders returned with the statement of Mr. Rao to which Mr. Narendra also affixed his signature.

The statement read that the parties would issue whips to their respective ZPTC members in four districts to strictly vote according to the agreement.

A relieved Mr. Narendra later told reporters that he was sure the Congress would honour the accord. Otherwise, its members in Nizamabad, including a Minister, would be suspended.

Dismisses spat

He had dismissed the spat between him and APCC chief that led to the latter's withdrawal from negotiations as "all in the game".

Their slanging match had attracted the attention of Congress leadership in Delhi.

AICC general secretary in-charge of State Digvijay Singh had finally prevailed upon the APCC to sort out the matter.

Flashpoint

The declaration came a day after the differences between the two parties reached a flashpoint with the TRS bent upon following its own course and the Congress warning about a rethink on Nizamabad.

Mr. Rao told reporters separately that the misunderstanding had been cleared.

Efforts would be made to convince the Congress cadre on the need to protect the alliance.

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