Vijayawada: Amid the flurry of political activities in Andhra Pradesh, Congress seems to be caught in a bind over the recent meeting between Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu at Bengaluru’s HAL Airport.

DK Shivakumar, one of the architects of the Congress victory in Telangana Assembly elections, will likely be given a new assignment ahead of Andhra Pradesh assembly elections and in this context, it is speculated that the Congress may enter into an alliance with the TDP or may choose to go solo with an understanding with like-minded parties.

However, the Congress is facing a flak over its party leader’s meeting with Naidu. The grand old party appears to be confused by current political developments, particularly in Andhra Pradesh state. The party leadership is now trying to clear the air given the equation the party has with the TDP in the state politics.

"Ours is an uncompromising fight with the communal BJP. We are fighting against TDP and Jana Sena. The YSRCP has an understanding with the BJP. We will fight together with the member parties of 'INDIA alliance’ against these four parties in Andhra Pradesh," Manickam Tagore, AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs said while adopting a defensive stance on the matter.

Chandrababu offered the Congress his full support during recent Telangana elections. He even withdrew TDP candidates to bolster the Congress's chances in the assembly elections. He’s now trying to exploit the sacrifice in the upcoming elections. Naidu has requested Shivakumar to return the favour by backing Congress in the ensuing Andhra Pradesh assembly polls. Furthermore, at Chandrababu's request, Shivakumar inducted YS Sharmila into the Congress party fold.

Previously, Sharmila had stated she would limit her political involvement to Telangana. However, recent reports indicate she is prepared to support Chandrababu's efforts in Andhra Pradesh. With regional caste equations in mind, the Congress high command is reportedly considering nominating candidates in Andhra Pradesh polls that would be acceptable to the Telugu Desam Party.

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