BJP, TDP inch close to deal

The BJP is likely to seal its alliance talks with TDP by Wednesday, with the two former allies trying to sort out differences over seats both are eager to contest in Seemandhra.

The saffron party is demanding about 70 assembly seats, including 45 in Seemandhra and 14 in Telangana.

It is also seeking tickets for about 15 Lok Sabha candidates, eight in Telangana and 7 in Seemandhra.

BJP sources said while a broad consensus has been reached over seat sharing, TDP is reluctant to offer the number of seats it has demanded in Seemandhra.

Chandrababu Naidu is willing to give away only three Lok Sabha and seven assembly seats in Seemandhra, as he believes that his party is doing better in the region against popular perceptions that the YSR Congress would end up as single largest party, BJP sources said.

The leaders from both parties had several round of parleys, with BJP’s NDA partner Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) playing a role in bringing both together.