TJS Kodandaram demands Congress for more seats

What is Congress Party's biggest problem in Telangana? More than the TRS, it is a small party that has a respectable leader but with little following. And, its name is Telangana Jana Samithi, led by Prof Kodandaram.

To defeat the TRS in Telangana, the Congress has roped in all anti-TRS groups. The TDP willingly joined and the CPI okayed the proposal. It is the TJS of Kodandaram that has dillydallied. It first hesitated. Then prevaricated. Then it said it was also pally with the BJP and would explore that option too. Later, Kodandaram finally said 'yes' to a Congress-led Maha Kutami.

But, the real problems began only after that. Prof Kodandaram wants to play a big brother to the Kutami. He wants to act as a friend, philosopher, guide. So, he insisted on a common minimum programme. He said this is important to instill confidence in the minds of the voters. The Congress did not want any thing of that sort. Even before this issue could be sorted, Prof Kodandaram began making demands for more seats. The TJS does not have any organizational structure to boast off. Yet, the Congress wants him because of his image as a fighter for Telangana. But, KOdanda is demanding more that 20 seats. The Congress feels it is quite unreasonable for the TJS to demand so many seats. It feels the TJS should be contest with 4-5 seats.

But, Kodanda is very insistent about the number. He wants to emerge as a balancing factor in the Mahakutami and wants to dictate the terms to both Congress and the TDP. The Congress, which is in a hurry to complete the seat-sharing and then go to electioneering, is impatient.

How long the Congress patience last? Will Congress put up with Kodanda's antics? Let's wait and watch how the game unfolds.