Cong open for electoral alliances in Telangana: Ponnala

Congress today claimed that it would win a chunk of seats in Telangana in upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections even though the party is "open" for electoral alliances.
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Ponnala Lakshmaiah said his party would win 100 (out of 119) Assembly and 15 (out of 17) Lok Sabha seats in the April 30 elections in the region.
"It's a fact that we kept our doors open for alliances with those who fought for creation of Telangana state. It was only to expedite the process of building a 'Golden Telangana', not that we are weak," Ponnala told a meet-the-press programme organised by the Telangana Union of Working Journalists.

He said contrary to reports, Congress is strong at the village level in the region.
"We will make it even stronger. Our rank and file is against forging electoral alliances but we will consider if any proposal comes our way," he said, replying to a query on whether there was a move to tie-up with Telangana Rashtra Samiti and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.
"We have not received any proposal from either of them," Ponnala said.

Stressing that building a 'Golden Telangana' was the Congress' prime focus, the TPCC chief said their emphasis would also be on creating a 'social Telangana' since the region comprised mostly of downtrodden sections.

"Some people are going round claiming that they will 're-construct' Telangana. I don't understand what it means. They are only seeking to hoodwink people. They are only eyeing political gains by making such incredulous claims," Ponnala said without naming the TRS.
The Congress was drafting plans for building a 'Golden Telangana' and the plans would be incorporated in the party manifesto.