Seat-sharing row puts Congress, CPI on collision course in Kothagudem

The Congress-CPI alliance in Kothagudem is under strain ahead of the municipal corporation elections, with both parties demanding a larger share of seats. The CPI has sought 30 corporator seats and the mayor’s post, while Congress leaders are unwilling to concede the mayor’s seat, offering only 20 seats instead.

Kothagudem: There is ambiguity over continuation of Congress–CPI alliance in the upcoming Kothagudem Municipal Corporation polls as both the parties want higher number of seats to contest in the elections.

It may be noted that Congress-CPI had a pre-poll alliance during the 2023 Assembly polls and Kothagudem seat was allotted to CPI. The alliance has become shaky, with local leaders insisting on going alone in the elections, as the alliance could hamper their plans to contest.

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The Congress high command reportedly directed Kothagudem leadership to hold talks over sharing seats with CPI. It is said that the CPI wanted 30 corporator seats of the 60 seats in the corporation along with the mayor’s seat.

But Kothagudem Congress leaders do not want to give up the mayor seat and the same was conveyed to the CPI besides offering 20 seats instead of 30 sought by the CPI. Both the parties are yet to resolve the matter as there has been high demand for tickets in each ward.

While the leaders of both the parties have been engaged in talks over seat sharing, applications are being received for all the 60 wards in the municipal corporation. There is fear among the leaders in both the parties that this exercise might turn adverse if the CPI and Congress agreed for seat sharing, aspiring candidates could become rebel candidates if denied tickets

It is being said Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has also been against the alliance with CPI in Kothagudem as he feels that Congress could win the corporation by contesting alone. His followers highlight the point that Congress contested independently in the recent panchayat elections and secured good results.

The CPI leaders, who do not want Congress to treat them as lesser partners, are hinting at the possibility of forming an alliance with the BRS if there is no positive response from the Congress. It has become a topic of discussion in political circles in the district.

However, a senior Congress leader stated that the party high command wants the alliance to continue in Kothagudem and steps would be taken in that direction in the interest of both the parties.