Local Body Elections: Congress-Left tie-up unlikely

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JAN. 31. An electoral understanding between the Congress-I and the left parties for the coming civic elections in the State is virtually ruled out as the former is unlikely to concede even a single post of municipal chairperson to the two other parties in the bargain.

The Congress-I is intent on fielding its candidates for the posts of civic chief of all municipalities and municipal corporations, thereby limiting the scope of any adjustments to only the municipal divisions and wards.

The CPI has announced its decision to re-run for the mayorship of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation while the CPI(M) would be in the run for the chairmanship of the Khammam Municipality. While the CPI(M) has never shown any inclination for an understanding with the Congress-I, CPI leaders have made guarded remarks, keeping the options still open.

Congress-I sources have made it clear that the question of conceding Vijayawada and Khammam to the left parties does not arise. Against this backdrop, a formal exercise on seat-sharing between the Congress-I and the CPI is also unlikely and the CPI(M) State secretary, Mr.B.V.Raghavulu, has clearly ruled out any tie-up with the Congress- I.

One reason being advanced by Congress-I leaders for not conceding the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation to the CPI is that the party had polled about 1.35 lakh votes in the town in the recent Assembly elections, marginally less than what was polled by the TDP-BJP combine. The CPI's tally was only about 30,000 votes. The party was also successful in 32 Urban Assembly constituencies, including the Khammam constituency.

Though the talk of an alliance with the CPI was first broached by the APCC-I president, the party leadership is veering round to the view that the influence of the Communists is on the wane.

Sources said the seat adjustments, at best, could be unofficial.The APCC-I Executive Committee is meeting here on February 5 to chalk out the party strategy for the municipal elections. Meanwhile, observers for each district would be announced and they would also participate in the meeting. These observers are expected to bring about a consensus on the candidates for the municipalities in their respective districts by talking to different groups.

Issues likely to dominate the campaign for the civic polls would also be discussed at the extended Executive Committee meeting which would be attended by DCC presidents, MLAs and MPs. Sources said the focus of the party campaign would be on the ``brazen manner'' in which the Government was going about taxing people.

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Section  : Regional
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