Caught in the tug-of-war between the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the Bharatiya Janata Party, Telangana Joint Action Committee convener M. Kodandaram on Saturday said that he would make yet another attempt to bring the two friends-turned-rivals together and thereby avoid a split in the pro-Telangana votes in Parkal byelection.
However, Prof Kodandaram's task may not be that easy as both the TRS and the BJP are not only determined to contest the byelection, but also to get the TJAC to back their candidates. The TJAC steering committee met here on Saturday, with Prof Kodandaram asking both the parties to observe restraint and also ensure that only one of them contests the bypoll to avoid a split in the Telangana votes.
However, indicating the mood of the two sides, while the TRS representatives stayed away from the meeting, BJP leader Rajeshwara Rao and others left midway. On his part, Prof Kodandaram said the BJP leaders left after the meeting was over. “We will try to convince both the parties to avoid a contest. We will meet leaders of both the parties and try to convince them that only one party should contest the polls to avoid split in T-votes,” the TJAC convener said after the meeting.
He insisted that he would strive to bring unanimity among the two constituents, when asked which party the TJAC would support if both parties stood their ground. “In the event of both the parties ignoring the TJAC plea, the committee will meet and chalk out further course of action. The Telangana parties have to take on parties committed to united AP,” he said. Prof Kodandaram said the TJAC would try to avoid a repeat of Mahbubnagar bypoll where both the TRS and the BJP contested.
He also denied that Warangal district TJAC unit has decided to back TRS and said that there were no differences between the TRS and the TJAC. Prof Kodandaram also scoffed at the rumours that the TRS was attempting to dislodge him from his post. Meanwhile, BJP leader Rajeswara Rao said if the TJAC decides to support the TRS, the TD allegation that TJAC was an extension of the TRS would be proved true. "TJAC should take an impartial decision," he added. Earlier, TRS Floor leader in the Assembly Etala Rajender said that he wanted the TJAC to back his party in Parkal and avoid a repeat of the Mahbubnagar where Muslims were left hurt. "TJAC should review Mahbubnagar bypolls. Muslims are upset over the defeat of TRS nominee Ibrahim," he said.