Congress seeks CPI backing for Telangana Graduate MLC polls

HYDERABAD: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and senior party leaders met Communist Party of India (CPI) state leadership in Hyderabad on Friday to seek its formal backing for the upcoming Graduate MLC elections. The Congress is aiming to secure support for its candidates in the two graduate constituencies, leveraging the parties' existing alliance in the INDIA bloc and their joint performance in the 2023 Assembly polls.

The high-level meeting took place at the CPI state headquarters in Himayatnagar. During the discussions, the Congress emphasized the shared commitment to public welfare and the historical cooperation between the two parties. TPCC president Goud noted that the CPI and Congress contested the previous Assembly elections together under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, expressing hope that the same cooperative spirit would continue in the council polls. Alongside the CPI, the Congress is also reaching out to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] and the Telangana Jana Samithi [TJS] to consolidate support. "The CPI is also our alliance partner at the state level. We have also sought the support of Telangana Jana Samithi for the Congress candidates in the two MLC seats," Goud stated.

The Congress has fielded Sama Rammohan Reddy from the Mahbubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad graduates’ constituency and Ramreddy Sarvotham Reddy from the Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal graduates’ constituency. The Congress delegation at the meeting included Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Azharuddin, Rajya Sabha member Vem Narender Reddy, and MP Mallu Ravi. The CPI delegation was led by state secretary Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao and included MLC Nellikanti Satyam, along with national executive members Palla Venkat Reddy and Chada Venkat Reddy.

Despite the Congress's outreach, the Left parties have not yet finalized their stance. CPM state secretary John Wesley indicated that the party is considering fielding a joint Left candidate, supported by the CPM, CPI, and eight other Left parties, specifically from the Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal constituency. "There is a proposal to field a candidate supported by the CPM, CPI and eight other Left parties in the state," Wesley stated, adding that they would discuss the Congress's proposal and take a decision soon.

This potential joint Left candidature could complicate the Congress's electoral strategy. The developments follow a recent setback for the ruling party in the TGSRTC recognised union elections, where the Congress backed an alliance against the CPI-affiliated union. Political observers note that the Left parties' final stand will be crucial for the Congress as it attempts to consolidate its political capital and secure victories in both graduate MLC seats. The CPI leadership is expected to review the formal proposal before taking a final decision.