2014 to see no 'grand alliance' in 16th Lok Sabha elections

Hyderabad: There will be no chance of having a 'grand alliance' of parties in the state, unlike the previous two elections. At best, as things stand now, the Congress and TRS may have a tie-up, as could the Telugu Desam Party and the BJP. But there is no clarity on this as yet. In 2004, all Opposition parties, TRS, CPI and CPM came together on one platform along with the Congress to fight the Telugu Desam Party, which was then in power. The alliance suceeded in defeating the Telugu Desam Party.

The situation had reversed in 2009. All Opposition parties, the TDP, TRS and the Left contested the polls together against the Congress but failed to dislodge the ruling party. The BJP went it alone in both elections.

There is a lot of uncertainty on the possibility of an alliance between the Telugu Desam Party and the BJP. TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu had met top BJP leaders including prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and reportedly discussed a possible tie-up ahead of the polls. But the BJP’s support to the statehood Bill changed all that, and Mr Naidu even criticised Mr Modi. However, TDP leaders are still hopeful of an alliance.

It is all not smooth sailing on the TRS-Congress front. The TRS has refused to merge with the Congress, and has left the door open for alliance. Angry Telangana Congress leaders have announced that they don’t want an alliance with the TRS. CPI state secretary K. Narayana had announced long back that the party will not ally with either the Congress, TDP or the YSRC; an alliance with the TRS is likely.

TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao too hinted on Tuesday that the TRS may have alliance with the CPI and the CPIML (New Democracy) parties. There is chance that the CPM may ally with the YSRC. The MIM  never allied with any party officially, but had understanding with the Congress in 2004 and 2009.