Team News Riveting
Hyderabad, February 17
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) loves to duck talking to the media. And when he addressed two press conferences in a fortnight, the political corridor had reasons to ring.
Rao has addressed two press conferences in two weeks; first on February 1 followed by another on February 13. The agenda was crystal clear; cuddling up a new political chart. For, the otherwise Centre-supportive Chief Minister slammed the NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The leader who once supported demonetisation and other policies of the Narendra Modi government spoke about unifying political parties against the BJP. KCR seems to be moving with an agenda to establish himself as a Central leader by garnering support from the regional parties. His proposed meeting with Shiv Sena Chief and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is seen as part of the same exercise. KCR is also planning to meet Trinamool Congress Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, HD Deve Gowda has reportedly extended his support to the new initiative of KCR.
The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leader is well aware that he cannot have two enemies. And hence a better bet on Congress as supporting BJP will not be a smart move. He cannot find a space in National politics under the BJP umbrella and second, the major regional parties will be reluctant to back him if he stands with the saffron camp.
As part of the plan, KCR’s sudden affection for Rahul Gandhi has come to the fore while TRS toned down its attack on Congress. “Mere aankhon mein paani aa raha hai (I was in tears),” KCR commented at a public meeting at Raigiri last week while responding to the Assam Chief Minister’s remarks against Rahul Gandhi. The statement has stunned the political pundits. Ironically, KCR has mocked Rahul Gandhi for hugging PM Narendra Modi in Parliament in December 2018.
However, Congress is cautious as it has a big trust deficit with the Telangana leader. In February 2014, KCR travelled to Delhi to thank Sonia Gandhi for her decision about granting statehood to Telangana. Though KCR said that no politics was discussed in the meeting, Congress leadership from Telangana had revealed to the media that a merger of TRS and Congress was likely. However, after the Telangana Act came to pass, TRS looked the other way.
KCR had taken his family along to meet Sonia Gandhi but after the Bill was passed, KCR changed his decision and also his attitude. Despite granting Telangana, Congress failed to get the dividend, thanks to KCR.
