AP Cong seeks TRS help for Rahul as PM

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, April 30

The Andhra Pradesh Congress has asked Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to support the UPA to form the next government so that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi could lead the next government at the Centre. Telangana’s TRS is hoping to bag most of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

The AP Congress has said the request comes with the view that the UPA will be able to help the state get Special Category Status it has been struggling for. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president N Raghuveera Reddy has written a letter to TRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in this regard.

The letter reads: “I would first like to thank you for categorically extending support to the demand for according Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Since the BJP has rejected the SCS demand and Congress president Rahul Gandhi promised to sign the first file granting SCS to AP upon becoming the PM, I request you to support our party to form the next government at the Centre.”

Though the TRS chief is hopeful of being a kingmaker in the absence of a clear mandate for any party, AP Congress leader said: “I have requested the main parties in Andhra Pradesh TDP, YSR Congress and Jana Sena to set politics aside and support the Congress to secure SCS for the state. Since you have already supported the SCS demand, I request you to support the Congress to form the government at the Centre. Please do not support the BJP and let further injustice done to AP.”