TRS Hopes To Capitalise On D Srinivas Controversy

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi is trying hard to capitalise on the ongoing dissent within the Congress party over the "Cash For Post" controversy involving former PCC Chief D Srinivas.

According to sources, the TRS is in touch with some Congress MLCs who had expressed dissatisfaction over the way Srinivas had been elected as the Congress floor leader in the Telangana Legislative Council.

It may be mentioned that Congress MLC Rajalingam had come out in the open and alleged that Srinivas had offered him a bribe of Rs. 10 lakhs to support his candidature.

Several MLCs and other leaders are unhappy with the inaction of the Congress High Command on Rajalingam's allegations. Therefore, the TRS is now trying to invite those Congress leaders to switch parties.

"There will be no future if they continue to work under tainted leaders. Therefore, we are asking them to join the TRS to work along with us for the development of Telangana," a senior TRS leader said, while admitting that the party's "Operation Aakarshan" was aimed at persuading the unhappy leaders of Congress party to join the TRS.

"Those who joined us from other parties are not only happy, they have also been given important posts. Unlike in the Congress, there is complete freedom in the TRS, and our leaders neither buy votes nor do they bribe their own partymen to get posts," he said.

The TRS is attracting primarily the Congress leaders from the minority community.

The denial of the post of the CLP leader in the Council to former minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir came as a blessing in disguise for the TRS, especially at a time when it gave the post of Deputy Chief Minister to Md Mahmood Ali.

Now the TRS is comparing the position of Muslims in both the parties. While no prominent post was given to any minority leader in the Telangana Congress, the TRS not only nominated a Muslim as the Deputy CM, but also gave him the second most important portfolio, of revenue.

Sources say that several Congress leaders belonging to minority communities may join the TRS after the Assembly session begins on June 9. (INN)