Tdp Not to Contest In Telangana Lok Sabha Polls

On Monday Telugu Desam Party decided not to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in Telangana, a first since its formation in 1982. The party has decided to withdraw from contest to avoid helping the ruling TRS and BJP which are opposed to it, TDP sources said.

The TRS has always tried to make sure that the TDP doesn’t exist as a party in Telangana, the sources alleged. It may be recalled that a large number of TDP leaders have switched over to the TRS in the last few years has weakened the party sustainability in Telangana.

The latest to join TRS was TDP politburo member Nama Nageshwara Rao who would have been the party candidate from Khammam constituency. TDP, the ruling party in neighboring Andhra Pradesh has been opposing the BJP since its exit from the NDA on the issue of denial of special status to the state.

The TDP sources said the party has in principle agreed to the Congress request for support the Lok Sabha elections. The TDP had contested the Assembly elections in Telangana in December last as part of an alliance with the Congress, CPI, and TJS. TDP and Congress secured two and 19 seats respectively in the 119-member house. The CPI and TJS drew a blank.