Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) chief Kodandaram on Monday questioned Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's plans to hold early elections in the state.
This comes days after the state’s Chief Electoral Officer said that they would be prepared for early polls, if the Election Commission wishes to prepone the dates.
“It is hereby clarified that the Election Commission of India has given a schedule for preparation of Electoral Rolls which will be completed by January 1, 2019 and the same was informed to the press. However, it is informed that if ECI, which is the competent authority, takes a considered view for declaring dates for early conduct of general elections to Legislative Assembly and Parliament, the elections will be conducted accordingly,” a letter by the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, Rajat Kumar, stated.
Questioning the move, Kodandaram asked, "What is the need for early polls? It is not a small issue. It is a serious one. Why is this attempt being made? We will need to discuss this with the people."
He also reiterated that the TJS would not ally with any other party in the state, in the upcoming polls for the Legislative Assembly.
In June this year, KCR said that the leaders of his party and even people were ready for early elections. He exuded confidence that TRS will win over 100 seats in 119-member state assembly.
Elections to Telangana assembly are scheduled in April-May next year along with Lok Sabha polls but ever since the TRS chief's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June, there have been reports of the polls being advanced.
Kodandaram played an active role in the Telangana struggle for separate statehood as head of the TJAC and was one of KCR's biggest supporters. Today, he is considered one of the Chief Minister's most vocal critics.
The two politicians have traded barbs on several occasions since then, and the Telangana police has repeatedly foiled several protests and marches organised by the TJS.