The Congress Sunday maintained 'friendly contests'&nbsp;in some segments among partners of the People's Alliance would have no bearing on the grouping's electoral prospects, even as negotiations are on with the 'rebels'&nbsp;to see they retire from the contest before the polls begin.

In some constituencies of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-polls-elections-cannot-be-won-on-false-promises-raman-singh-to-chandrasekhar-rao-180767">Telangana</a>, where<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-2018-parties-in-one-upmanship-game-to-woo-voters-in-telangana-180428"> Assembly elections</a> would be held on December 7, Congress and Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) rebels are in the fray in seats which have been allotted to other partners.

'You cannot call them rebels. We (<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-grand-alliance-accuses-kcr-of-colluding-with-bjp-to-escape-from-cbi-180664">the alliance partners</a>) could not convince some of our candidates, so their participation is friendly contest," AICC in-charge of Telangana R C Khuntia told PTI.

The TDP, the TJS led by professor M Kodandaram and CPI are part of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-elections-2018-its-all-up-in-the-air-180356">Congress-led People's Alliance ('Prajakutami') </a>which has struck a seat-sharing deal among the partners.

However in Wyra and Bellampalli, for example, the two seats allotted to the CPI, Congress rebels &nbsp;Ramulu Naik and G Vinod, who is the son of former Union Minister late G Venkataswamy are in the fray.

'This will not affect our winning possibility. Two-three days before the elections, some decision may be taken to see to they (the rebels) withdraw from the contest. Negotiations are on with them', he said.

Khuntia expressed confidence over the alliance coming to power after the elections to the 119-member Assembly, noting the collective 'strength'&nbsp;of the two parties.

'We will get between 75 and 80 seats', he said.

CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said, given the current trend, it looks like a tough contest between the Congress-led alliance and the TRS.

'I hope, ultimately, the opposition front will gain the upper hand. The front has an edge because four parties have come together", Reddy said.

Sources in the alliance said the CPI(M)-led Bahujan Left Front, which has fielded candidates in 109 segments, may split some votes which would have otherwise gone to the People's Alliance.

There is also some 'heartburn' in the Left camp over the CPI(M) and CPI fighting separately. 
'We (BLF) are contesting in 109 seats, out of that we are concentrating on 20 to 25 seats. We are expecting to win at least five seats,' CPI(M) Telangana unit secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram said.

'Through Congress rule, they (CPI) want to achieve Telangana development, it is not possible at all,'&nbsp;Veerabhadram said.

On CPI(M) and CPI choosing different electoral paths in Telangana, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat told PTI, 'In Telangana, BJP is not a factor. It is important to project an alternative policy platform which is what CPI(M) and BLF are doing.'

The Congress Sunday maintained 'friendly contests' in some segments among partners of the People's Alliance would have no bearing on the grouping's electoral prospects, even as negotiations are on with the 'rebels' to see they retire from the contest before the polls begin.

The Congress Sunday maintained 'friendly contests' in some segments among partners of the People's Alliance would have no bearing on the grouping's electoral prospects, even as negotiations are on with the 'rebels' to see they retire from the contest before the polls begin. In some constituencies of Telangana, where Assembly elections would be held on December 7, Congress and Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) rebels are in the fray in seats which have been allotted to other partners. 'You cannot call them rebels. We (the alliance partners) could not convince some of our candidates, so their participation is friendly contest," AICC in-charge of Telangana R C Khuntia told PTI. The TDP, the TJS led by professor M Kodandaram and CPI are part of the Congress-led People's Alliance ('Prajakutami') which has struck a seat-sharing deal among the partners. However in Wyra and Bellampalli, for example, the two seats allotted to the CPI, Congress rebels Ramulu Naik and G Vinod, who is the son of former Union Minister late G Venkataswamy are in the fray. 'This will not affect our winning possibility. Two-three days before the elections, some decision may be taken to see to they (the rebels) withdraw from the contest. Negotiations are on with them', he said. Khuntia expressed confidence over the alliance coming to power after the elections to the 119-member Assembly, noting the collective 'strength' of the two parties. 'We will get between 75 and 80 seats', he said. CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said, given the current trend, it looks like a tough contest between the Congress-led alliance and the TRS. 'I hope, ultimately, the opposition front will gain the upper hand. The front has an edge because four parties have come together", Reddy said. Sources in the alliance said the CPI(M)-led Bahujan Left Front, which has fielded candidates in 109 segments, may split some votes which would have otherwise gone to the People's Alliance. There is also some 'heartburn' in the Left camp over the CPI(M) and CPI fighting separately. 'We (BLF) are contesting in 109 seats, out of that we are concentrating on 20 to 25 seats. We are expecting to win at least five seats,' CPI(M) Telangana unit secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram said. 'Through Congress rule, they (CPI) want to achieve Telangana development, it is not possible at all,' Veerabhadram said. On CPI(M) and CPI choosing different electoral paths in Telangana, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat told PTI, 'In Telangana, BJP is not a factor. It is important to project an alternative policy platform which is what CPI(M) and BLF are doing.'

Rebel threat to not hurt opposition alliance prospects: Congress

Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), a partner in the "grand alliance" for the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana, on Monday expressed confidence and said the confusion over seat adjustments among the allies will be resolved soon.

The "grand alliance" comprises the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Communist Party of India (CPI) and TJS.

The confusion arose after parties gave tickets to candidates in constituencies allotted to their alliance partners.

"About seats, it will happen. If not today, it will happen tomorrow. I don't think it is a major problem. I am confident that we will be able to resolve that by tomorrow," TJS president M Kodandaram said in a 'Meet the Press' organised by Telangana State Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ).

Monday being the last day for filing nomination, he was asked about the confusion with regard to seat adjustment among the alliance partners. There is also lack of clarity about the proposed common agenda.

Observing that firming up the alliance and reaching out to people with a common agenda has been delayed, which has hurt the coalition, he said the remaining 15 days leading up to the polling date (December seven) should be used for the purpose.

The common agenda has been prepared, he said.

When it was pointed out that any "friendly contests" among the alliance partners might hurt winning chances of their candidates, he said efforts to avoid such contests would continue.

"We have to avoid them (friendly contests). One or two may be unavoidable but they should go. Those efforts will continue," he said.

Replying to a query, Kodandaram said he is not working for becoming deputy chief minister (in the event of the alliance coming to power) or any other post.

Hitting out at the "autocratic" rule of TRS, he said the TJS and its alliance parties are seeking a "democratic rule" in Telangana.

Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), a partner in the "grand alliance" for the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana, on Monday expressed confidence and said the confusion over seat adjustments among the allies will be resolved soon.

Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), a partner in the "grand alliance" for the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana, on Monday expressed confidence and said the confusion over seat adjustments among the allies will be resolved soon. The "grand alliance" comprises the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Communist Party of India (CPI) and TJS. The confusion arose after parties gave tickets to candidates in constituencies allotted to their alliance partners. "About seats, it will happen. If not today, it will happen tomorrow. I don't think it is a major problem. I am confident that we will be able to resolve that by tomorrow," TJS president M Kodandaram said in a 'Meet the Press' organised by Telangana State Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ). Monday being the last day for filing nomination, he was asked about the confusion with regard to seat adjustment among the alliance partners. There is also lack of clarity about the proposed common agenda. Observing that firming up the alliance and reaching out to people with a common agenda has been delayed, which has hurt the coalition, he said the remaining 15 days leading up to the polling date (December seven) should be used for the purpose. The common agenda has been prepared, he said. When it was pointed out that any "friendly contests" among the alliance partners might hurt winning chances of their candidates, he said efforts to avoid such contests would continue. "We have to avoid them (friendly contests). One or two may be unavoidable but they should go. Those efforts will continue," he said. Replying to a query, Kodandaram said he is not working for becoming deputy chief minister (in the event of the alliance coming to power) or any other post. Hitting out at the "autocratic" rule of TRS, he said the TJS and its alliance parties are seeking a "democratic rule" in Telangana.

Confusion over seat adjustment will be resolved soon: TJS chief

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee Chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy and other party leaders Monday inspected the arrangements for the visit of party President Rahul Gandhi to Telangana on October 20.

Reddy and others left from Hyderabad by a chopper to Bhainsa near Adilabad where Gandhi will address a public meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Reddy attacked the TRS government in Telangana for allegedly ignoring farmers' and other sections and highlighted the promises of Congress for the December 7 Legislative Assembly elections.

Gandhi would address two public meetings in Telangana on October 20.

He would hoist the Congress flag near Charminar here and address the gathering on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Yatra commemoration day, they said.

Former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh K Rosaiah will be conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Yatra commemoration award.

Later, the Congress leader would visit Bhainsa town and address a public meeting and another one in Kamareddy, they added.

The party has formed an alliance with the TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) and been holding talks on seat-sharing for the polls.

Gandhi had visited Telangana in August last and interacted with women of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and others.

The state Congress hoped Gandhi's visit would give a boost to its prospects in the assembly elections.&nbsp;

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee Chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy and other party leaders Monday inspected the arrangements for the visit of party President Rahul Gandhi to Telangana on October 20.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee Chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy and other party leaders Monday inspected the arrangements for the visit of party President Rahul Gandhi to Telangana on October 20. Reddy and others left from Hyderabad by a chopper to Bhainsa near Adilabad where Gandhi will address a public meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Reddy attacked the TRS government in Telangana for allegedly ignoring farmers' and other sections and highlighted the promises of Congress for the December 7 Legislative Assembly elections. Gandhi would address two public meetings in Telangana on October 20. He would hoist the Congress flag near Charminar here and address the gathering on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Yatra commemoration day, they said. Former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh K Rosaiah will be conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Yatra commemoration award. Later, the Congress leader would visit Bhainsa town and address a public meeting and another one in Kamareddy, they added. The party has formed an alliance with the TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) and been holding talks on seat-sharing for the polls. Gandhi had visited Telangana in August last and interacted with women of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and others. The state Congress hoped Gandhi's visit would give a boost to its prospects in the assembly elections.

Telangana Congress gearing up for Rahul Gandhi's visit