Federal Front Open to Cong Support if it Falls Short of Numbers: TRS

This is a slight deviation from the earlier stance of a no-BJP, no-Congress Front.

Hyderabad: While DMK chief M K Stalin has insisted that Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao’s visit was just a courtesy call, a day later, TRS spokesperson has said that the Federal Front was open to taking Congress’ support post-Lok Sabha elections.

A leading daily quoted TRS spokesperson Abid Rasool Khan as saying that he was certain the Front would come to office at the Centre. “If it falls short of numbers and Congress offers to lend support, the Front partners will take a decision on it. Congress will not emerge as a key player on May 23 and once the results are announced, its partners will desert it and join the Federal Front,” he said.

Reports say that the Monday meeting saw Rao urging Stalin to join the Federal Front which would be devoid of Congress and BJP. So the TRS spokesperson’s statement comes a deviation from the earlier stance of having no truck with the Congress.

However, Khan did insist that the Federal Front will “not do any business with BJP”.

The daily also quoted sources as saying that KCR would be meeting Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy soon. KCR had spoken to Kumaraswamy earlier this month as well, purportedly over river water sharing between Karnataka and Telangana. But that phone call had led to speculations over cosying up to Congress by opening communication with its ally JD (S).

TRS also said that KCR did not nurse any ambition of being on the national stage and donning the mantle of the deputy PM. TRS spokesperson Palla Rajeshwara Reddy said, “His effort is not at getting any post or position but bringing about a change in the country and governance.”