Cong Continues Consultations on Finalising Candidates

Hyderabad, Nov 12 (PTI): The Congress Monday continued its consultations on finalising candidates for the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Kumar Reddy and state party leaders held talks with the party leadership in Delhi Monday.

Reddy told reporters in Delhi that discussions were on.

Meanwhile, TPCC chief spokesperson Shravan Dasoju in a press release urged the Election Commission to to withdraw the reported move to use pink ballot papers for the polls as the colour is associated with the ruling TRS.

The process of filing nominations began Monday with the Election Commission issuing notification for the polls.

The last date for submitting nominations is November 19.

Congress has teamed up with TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) to form a "grand alliance".

Congress had earlier announced its decision to leave 14 seats to TDP, eight to TJS and three to the CPI.

However, the CPI has been pushing for at least five seats, though it said it would remain in the alliance.

AICC incharge of party affairs in Telangana R C Khuntia said on Thursday last that the first list of candidates for the polls would be released on November 10.

There are 119 assembly segments.

Senior Congress leader M Bhatti Vikramarka, TDP politbureau member Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy and TJS president M Kodandaram held talks Monday on preparing an agenda for the elections.

Meanwhile, the ruling TRS kept up its attack on the "grand alliance".

TRS leader and minister in the caretaker government T Harish Rao alleged that Kodandaram, who headed the Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) during the separate statehood agitation, has now joined hands with those who acted against the interests of Telangana then.

The JAC then comprised several parties, including TRS, and various people's organisations. However, differences cropped up between Kodandaram and the TRS after the latter formed government in separate Telangana.

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