Rashtriya Lok Dal to contest AP local body, LS polls

Union Minister Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), a strong supporter of separate Telangana demand, would contest the upcoming local body polls in Andhra Pradesh and subsequent general elections.
"We are going to contest these local body elections, as well as parliamentary and assembly elections," he told reporters here today.
The number of seats on which the party will contest would be decided by its local unit, he said.
Reiterating RLD's support for the separate statehood demand, Singh said even his father late Charan Singh had favoured formation of smaller states.
Replying to a query, he said UPA allies like him and Sharad Pawar have supported the Telangana and that it is for Congress party to take a call on the issue being the bigger party in the coalition.

Asked if his party would ally with Congress in AP too, he said it is for the latter to decide. It is too early to say about poll allies for RLD in AP.

He, however, said his party may not ally with BJP, which is in the forefront of the separate statehood stir.
He felt that it is unlikely that a solution came about for the contentious Telangana issue before the term of the present Lok Sabha concluded.
"I intend to discuss with Congress leaders next week, because of (AICC in-charge of party affairs in Andhra Pradesh) Ghulam Nabi Azad's announcement recently," he said.

Azad had reportedly indicated that consultations would be held to address the Telangana issue this month itself.