Poll talks between TDP, BJP remain inconclusive

Talks between TDP and BJP over forging an electoral alliance in Andhra Pradesh remained inconclusive even as the former offered 35 Assembly and seven Lok Sabha seats to the latter in Telangana region and ten and three seats in Seemandhra.

For the first time, Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu himself discussed the seat-sharing with BJP national spokesman Prakash Javadekar and reportedly made the "final" offer during the talks held tonight.

TDP's Telangana leaders, too, took part in the talks as seat-sharing in the region has become a stumbling block to the alliance.

Javadekar reportedly told Chandrababu that he would discuss TDP's proposal with the BJP top brass and get back. The BJP leader left without talking to the media.

TDP sources, however, said they have offered 35 and seven Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and 10 and 3 in Seemandhra.

Besides, the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat will be given to Lok Satta Party president N Jayaprakash Narayan as part of the alliance.

The BJP wanted at least 48 Assembly and nine Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and 15 and five seats in Seemandhra.

TDP said it was ready for a "give and take" going by the strengths of respective parties in the two regions.

As the talks remained inconclusive, Javadekar left Chandrababu's residence to confer with BJP's top leadership and come to a conclusion soon.

TDP wants the elections for urban local bodies, slated for March 30, to be completed first before sealing the alliance deal, sources said.

Meanwhile, the seat-sharing deal between Congress and CPI is expected to be sealed later tonight.

CPI state secretary K Narayana reached Telangana Congress committee president Ponnala Lakshmaiah's hometown Jangaon in Warangal district to finalise the alliance.

Both leaders are expected to discuss the issue late tonight even as Congress sources said the CPI would be given 10 Assembly and one Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

Ponnala had already discussed the alliance with Congress high command in New Delhi on Thursday and reportedly got their approval for the number of seats to be given to the partner.