AP: TRS skips TJAC meet, BJP stages a walkout

HYDERABAD: A split in the Telangana vote looks imminent in the Parakala byelection with both the TRS and BJP remaining firm on fielding their candidates. TRS leaders gave a miss to a meeting organised by the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) to persuade the two parties to come to an agreement and field a common candidate.With the TRS leaders not turning up for the meeting, the BJP leaders staged a walkout. Later, TJAC chairman Prof M Kodandaram said he was hoping that there would either be a TRS or BJP candidate in the fray. “If both parties field their candidates, then we will decide what should be done,” he said.Kodandaram did not appear offended when it was pointed out that the TRS was demanding that the TJAC should support its candidate. “There is nothing wrong if a party seeks support of TJAC,” he said.Kodandaram said he would speak to the leaders of both parties over the phone and sort out the issue. “We want only either the TRS or BJP candidate in the fray to prevent a division in Telangana vote, which if happens will only benefit anti-Telangana forces,” he said.Kodandaram said that the TJAC would campaign against YSRC candidate Konda Surekha and try to expose Jagan Mohan Reddy if he chose to campaign in Parakal.  “Nothing that we do or say will be in violation of the Election Commission rules,” Kodandaram said.