KCR a ‘seasoned’ leader!

Some politicians own a few special traits that attract compliments even from their political adversaries. Union Minister Jairam Ramesh seems to have some liking for TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao even in the thick of political crossfire. When pointed out that TPCC leaders were no match to KCR in countering his verbal onslaught against them, Mr. Ramesh said during a press conference here on Thursday: “Hyderabad ki biryani aur KCR ki jubani bahut mazedar hoten hain” (both the Hyderabad biryani and KCR’s talk are very spicy). Not only the scribes attending the press conference but those accompanying Mr. Ramesh, former bureaucrat Koppula Raju and TPCC spokesperson D. Shravan, could not control their laughter at the witty remarks.

Manifesto released at two places

Being among the first to officially ‘bifurcate’ and set up two units, the BJP is also the first party to release its manifesto for Telangana a few days ago. It followed up with announcing one for the residuary State of AP on Friday. It was released at the party headquarters here by actor and former Union Minister U.V. Krishnam Raju, with its vice-president Seshagiri Rao explaining the salient features. In almost an academic fashion, Prof. Rao outlined how they had taken into consideration the available resources in the Krishna-Godavari basin and existing irrigation systems while drafting the manifesto. Interestingly, it was also released in Visakhapatnam by senior leader M. Venkaiah Naidu and its president-AP, K. Hari Babu at the same time. When asked why they found it necessary for the same manifesto to be released in two locations, almost simultaneously, Prof. Rao said they wanted to make sure that the party’s development-oriented message was communicated to people effectively! “After all, Hyderabad is still ours, being a common capital for 10 years, right?,” quipped another party leader.

Saves them the trouble

Politicians have a habit of chasing one another during election campaigns. If leader X campaigns at a given place, then leader Y must follow suit in an effort to diminish the impact left on the minds of voters by X. While it remains to be seen how successful the strategy turns out for the politicians, it is certainly saving a lot of money for the suppliers of pandals and tents, under which election meetings are held. Dismantling and erecting the pipe structure repeatedly could cost the suppliers, but now that politicians keep returning, they keep it intact until the campaigning ends. You can find the pandal structures intact at DIET Ground in Adilabad, the cattle market at Ichoda, the SPM ground in Kagaznagar, etc. It was TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao who first addressed public meetings at these places. Two days, later TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu addressed rallies at the same venues at Kagaznagar and Ichoda, while BJP’s Telangana unit president G. Kishan Reddy attended a public meting at DIET ground. “I am expecting Congress leader Vijayashanti in a day or two,” says G. Narayana, a centring mason at Ichoda as he gives his reason for not removing the pipe structure. He was nevertheless, silent on the question of payment of rent to the owners of the grounds, often some government or quasi-government institution.

Pawan Kalyan who?

As a hugely popular movie star and as brother of matinee idol and Union Minister K. Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan is a household name in the State. Despite opening his political innings with his Jana Sena Party, the ‘power star’ has been seen supporting the BJP-TDP alliance. It is therefore no surprise that his ties with rivals TRS, and its leadership, are sour. In fact, it has always been so. The TRS had once agitated against his controversial movie Camera Man Gangato Rambabu, alleging that it targeted the party leadership. The other day, party chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao gave more evidence of the bad blood between them, taking a dig at the JSP founder. “BJP leader Narendra Modi has been touring Telangana with N. Chandrababu Naidu and one another. Who is that?” he asked other leaders on the dais. When someone mentioned the name Pawan Kalyan, the TRS leader said party workers had informed him that Mr. Kalyan is a film actor, and that he had never seen his movies.

KCR targets the top, local rival contestants relieved

Muslim leaders welcome TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao at a public meeting at the Pavilion Grounds in Khammam on Tuesday. 

Adilabad: Telugu Desam, BJP and Congress candidates contesting in the polls for MLA and MP posts are relieved that TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao has not uttered a single word against them in his speeches.

Mr Rao is only targeting top leaders of the Congress, TD and the BJP in public meetings.

Meanwhile, TRS candidates in the fray are not happy with Mr Rao for saying nothing against their rivals.

A surprised Congress MLA candidate said that he was relieved by the end of the TRS chief’s speech and added that he had never thought that Mr Rao would spare the rival candidates after seeing his brutal attack on the Congress’  top leaders.

Mr Rao, meanwhile, has been using derogatory terms against the top leaders of the TD and the Congress. For example, he referred to TPCC president Ponnala Laxmaiah as “Las-maiah” and described Jairam Ramesh as durmargudu (traitor).

While opposing the contract system, the TRS chief has been saying that he is against the ideology of exploitation of labour. Such statements are usually found in the speeches of the Left leaders.

He also used the word “emichinavura” to refer to the Congress and its leadership in his recent speech at Bhainsa.

During a recent public meet in Kagaznagar, he apparently refused a TRS leader’s request to say a few words against former MLA Koneru Konappa who is contesting as a BSP candidate.

KCR spares congress, focuses on campaign

Addressing a public meeting at the Pavilion Grounds here on Tuesday, TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, for a change did not attack the Congress.

Focusing on local issues like the disparities in the water sharing, Mr Rao said, “Despite Khammam district falling between the Krishna and Godavari river basins, the region got a raw deal.”

Referring to the different political landscape in the district, he said, “Break the shackles.”

Mr Rao also ruled out hiccups in the implementation of 12 per cent quota for Muslims and tribals and showered sops.

KCR Forced YSR to Give Telangana, Believe Tribals

Ratna Naik, an 83-year-old resident of Duggapur village in Rangareddy district | RVK Rao

To the mind of 83-year-old Ratna Naik, a shepherd at Duggapur village in Peddammul mandal in Ranga Reddy district, statehood to Telangana was accorded by the Congress government headed by YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Though TV channels are intruding into the lives of rural folk, not many villagers, particularly those who live in tribal hamlets, are aware that YS Rajasekhara Reddy is no longer alive. They are also not conscious of the fact that Sonia Gandhi, who is heading the Congress, has played a decisive role in making the long-cherished dream of the T-people a reality.

Even though the Congress is undertaking an aggressive campaign by way of commercials on TV channels to claim total credit for the formation of T-state, some inhabitants of tribal hamlets and remote villages in Ranga Reddy district believe that the TRS chief, not the Congress, who brought statehood to their region.

For instance, Purni Bai, a tribal woman in Mansanpally village in Maheswarm mandal, too felt, “Chandrasekhar Rao is the only leader who has made the Ta reality.”

However, Ratna Naik, Purni Bai and some other tribal people, with whom this correspondent had a brief interaction during his tour of the Chevella Lok Sabha constituency, made one point clear: that they would vote for the candidate whose candidature their village head/tribal chieftain would endorse. Thus, these rural folk disclosed the intricacies of Indian democracy in which various factors ‘influence’ the final decision of every elector.

Chevella Lok Sabha constituency, which spreads around Hyderabad, is witnessing a three-horse race to win the coveted seat.

The Congress has fielded former home minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy’s son Karthik Reddy and the TDP-BJP combine another former home minister T Devender Goud’s son Virender Goud while business tycoon Konda Vishweshwar Reddy is taking on these two youngsters on behalf of the TRS.

The 32-year old Karthik Reddy, an engineering graduate, is mostly relying on his party’s traditional vote bank—Reddys, minorities and Dalits. At the same time, he is trying to gain the sympathy of the electors in Chevella, Maheswaram and other Assembly segments adjacent to it by invoking the memories of his late father P Indra Reddy, also a former home minister. 

Virender Goud, a management graduate, is trying to win over the hearts of Seemandhra settlers who constitute a sizeable population in Assembly segments such as Maheswaram and Rajendranagar. He is also trying to project himself as a representative of the BCs.

Vishweshwar Reddy, grandson of former deputy chief minister and signatory to the Gentlemen’s Agreement Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy after whom the district is named, is adopting a two-pronged strategy to attract both ‘natives’ and ‘settlers’.

Vishweshwar Reddy is primarily campaigning among Telangana voters and trying to win over their hearts by recalling the 13-year-long fight by the TRS chief for the T-state whereas his wife Sangita Reddy, managing director of Apollo Hospitals, is focusing her attention on  colonies inhabited by Seemandhra settlers.

All the three contestants are confident that each of them will emerge victorious from Chevella which is being represented in the Lok Sabha by S Jaipal Reddy.

TDP MLAs P Mahender Reddy and KS Ratnam seem to be facing rough weather in their segments because some TDP workers are not ready to shift their allegiance as their MLAs did. Moreover, they are angry at the MLAs for switching loyalties overnight without informing them.

Hi-tech Campaign

A hi-tech campaign is being undertaken by all the three contestants in Chevella. Konda Vishweshwar Reddy of the TRS has appointed campaign teams consisting of professional managers. 

All the three contestants are competing with one another in undertaking online campaign even on the social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

KCR Tries to Woo Minorities with Deputy CM Post

The KCR

TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao addressing an election meeting at Jagitial on Monday. Nizamabad TRS MP candidate and KCR’s daughter Kavita is also seen

Dismissing the charges levelled against him by the Congress, TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has made it clear that he is keen on his promise of making a minority leader the deputy chief minister of the Telangana state.

He was addressing a large gathering at Jagitial in Karimangar district on Monday.

In his bid to woo minority voters, the TRS boss further said, “I will give two prominent posts in the Cabinet to my minority brethren.” He will personally ensure implementation of 12 percent reservation for minorities and see to it that the Wakf Board is given judicial powers so that it can reclaim its encroached lands, he said.

Continuing with his Congress bashing, Rao said none of the Congress leaders participated in the Telangana movement and instead tried to suppress Telangana sentiment using money and muscle power at every juncture. Jagtial people are witness to Congress leaders’ attempts to suppress the T- sentiment, he said.

The TRS chief, who addressed a series of meetings, painted Congress as anti-Telangana. Congress will not get more than 25 Assembly seats, he said. “Was it not the Congress leaders from Telangana who were hand in glove with YS Rajasekhara Reddy and spent more than `180 crore for defeating me and Telangana sentiment during byelections for Assembly constituencies in Telangana. Even when they had spent money and liquor like water in the villages, you, Telangana people, have stood by TRS and KCR,” he said.

Raising his pitch against TPCC chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah, he dared the Congress leader to prove the allegations that he (KCR) had amassed wealth illegally. “If he has gusts, let him have an inquiry against me and my wealth. If I had resorted to any corruption, would YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu, and 14 Seemandhra media houses sit silently?” he asked.

He reiterated that he had never gone back on his promise.“In November 2010, I have announced in Karimnagar that there will be a war with Congress. Here it is,” he said. Recalling that Congress boss Sonia Gandhi in her speech at Karimnagar had said that TRS had no role in passing the T-bill, he asked Ponnala to explain what relationship does Congress and TRS have. “Stop talking nonsense. You remained silent for the sake of post and power and have no moral right to speak about TRS,” he said and threatened to teach Ponnala a lesson if he does not refrain from making baseless allegations.

At Manthani, TRS chief lambasted former minister D Sridhara Babu and said it was Sridhar, as a minister, who ordered the beating up of T-agitators. He said people of Manthani are fed up with the Congress leader and would teach him a lesson in the elections. He described TDP chief N Chandrabab Naidu as Andhra Babu and wondered what was the necessity of an Andhra party in Telangana. 

At all the public meetings, KCR reiterated several of his promises from the TRS manifesto.

KCR: Congress can’t form government in Telangana

TRS president K. Chandrasekhara Rao.

Karimnagar: TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao said at an election rally in Korutla on Monday that the Congress wou-ld not win more than 20-30 Assembly seats in Telangana. He also maintained that Cong-ress president Sonia Gandhi had no role in drafting and passing the Telangana Bill.

The TRS chief alleged that TPCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah had purchased the post by paying a whopping amount. Mr Chandrasekhar Rao warned that he would slit the tongue of Mr Lakshmaiah if the latter continued to rebuke him.

“We will not tolerate allegations by Congress leaders as they do not deserve the right to comment,” he said. He alleged that the Congress had spent `186 crore to defeat him when he was contesting from the Karimnagar parliamentary constituency.

He exuded confidence that his party would win 90 seats in the new state.
Mr Chandrasekhar Rao defended his decision on not merging the the TRS with the Congress, which he had once said would do if the Congress created the Telangana state, because many restrictions were imposed in the Telangana Bill.

Meanwhile, the TRS chief announced all sorts of sops for the Nizamabad constituency, including a reservoir at Dabba village in Ibrahimpatnam mandal if the TRS was voted to power.
He appealed to the electorate to cast their votes for the party’s nominees — K. Kavitha (Nizamabad parliamentary) and K. Vidysagar Rao (Korutla MLA) — in order to construct “Bangaru Telangana”.

In addition to the above, Peddpalli MP candidate Balka Suman was also present at the meeting.
Mr Chandrasekhar Rao campaigned extensively in the district on Monday, addressing nine public meetings between 12.30 pm and 5.50 pm.

Why Doesn't 'Andhra' Babu Just Leave: KCR

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao sports a skull cap, in keeping with his focus on minorities, at a public meeting in Adilabad on Sunday 

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday once again targeted TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, branding him “Andhra Babu” and wondered where was the need for an Andhra party (read TDP) in Telangana.

“He (Naidu) refuses to leave Hyderabad and Telangana, even if bodily thrown out! He along with another Naidu of the BJP (Venkaiah Naidu) forged an unholy alliance and both are conspiring to defeat TRS in the elections, which will not happen,” he said.

KCR addressed several meetings in nine Assembly segments in Adilabad district. At almost all of them, he ripped apart the Congress and the TDP. Blaming both for the backwardness of Telangana, in particular Adilabad district, KCR promised to develop the “Kashmir of Telangana” into a progressive district within two years. Continuing his attacks on TPCC chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah, he alleged that Ponnala had betrayed Telangana at every step, when it came to irrigation projects. “He is now accusing the TRS of coveting the CM’s gaddi. What is wrong in wanting to form the government and becoming the chief minister? Are we not the ones who had struggled for 14 long years for Telangana and finally, achieved it?” he questioned.

Lashing out at Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, the TRS chief said Jairam Ramesh talks big, but cannot even get elected as a mere sarpanch in direct elections. “Congress party’s assurances are nothing but empty promises,” he quipped.

Reiterating his secular credentials, he promised judicial powers to the Wakf Board so that it can reclaim its lands.

On the issue of corruption, he asserted that it would not be tolerated by a TRS government. “I will spare none, not even my son/daughter or kin if they were found to be corrupt. All corrupt elements will be sent to jail by the Telangana government,” he said.

Throw out Andhra parties from Telangana, urges KCR

Hyderabad, April 15: This general election could be the last one for undivided Andhra Pradesh. The state will be officially bifurcated into Telangana and Seemandhra on June 2.

 In Telangana, K Chandrasekhara Rao, one of the main architects of Telangana movement, has been holding rallies across the region and urging peiple to 'throw out' Andhra parties.

 Rao, popularly known as KCR, is the chief of Telangana Rashtra Samiti, which is one of the strongest politcal outfits in Telangana. The party has been urging people to vote against Telugu Desam Party, headed by Chandrababu Naidu.

 "Chandrababu Naidu says he won't go from here. Why? What work does he have here?'' asked KCR in a rally. "In Telangana, do we need Chandrababu Naidu's 'Andhra' party? Whoever disagrees, raise your hand and stick to that stand", he asked. 

It was in February, Parliament passed the bill to split Andhra Pradesh.

 Meanwhile, KCR's rivals have accused him of violating poll code. The Election Commission is examining his speech, said sources. "We are investigating what language was used, whether it creates hatred among people of the two regions. If it does, we have to take cognizance and take action," said Bhanwar Lal, the Chief Electoral Officer. 

Chandrababu Naidu said KCR's through his speeches attempt to divide the electorate on regional lines. "People are losing confidence in the TRS," he alleged.

Self-respect of T is at Stake: KCR

Making a fervent appeal to people in Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency not to support Andhra candidates who are in the fray, TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao on Saturday said TRS winning the seat is a question of self-respect of the people of Telangana.

Addressing his last public meeting of the day at Lotkunta in Hyderabad, Rao said that if Andhra voters are about 1.4 lakh, Telangana electorate is about 27 lakh. In such a case, how could an Andhra contestant win the election if all Telangana voters support the TRS candidate?

If our candidate Mynapalli Hanumantha Rao contests in Andhra region, would voters there support him? Then why should we vote for Andhra candidates here?”.

Rao, while establishing the point that Andhra leaders are still in Hyderabad and want to have control over political leadership with an intent to protect their ill-gotten wealth.

 “Assigned lands to the extent of more than 1.14 lakh acres were encroached by Andrha leaders and now they are afraid that if the TRS comes to power, it will resume them. Even film actor Akkineni Nagarjua has assigned lands,” he said. Rao said that though TRS had no issues with Andhras who came to Hyderabad in search of livelihood but only with those who came here to exploit Telangana.

“But let the Andhra people not interfere with our demand that Andhra employees should go to Andhra government and Telangana employees should be under Telangana government. “If the Secretariat has 90 per cent of Andhra employees, how does Telangana government look? This is something we will not allow,” he said.

Rao said that for Hyderabad to become a world-class city, it is necessary that its face should change. I want the entire city to be slum-free and de-congested. All the outlying areas should be developed so that investors would find Hyderabad an attractive destination. “I want to make the Secunderabad Cantonment area another Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills,” he said.

Earlier, he addressed meetings at Shadnagar and Chevella. Reeling off promises, he said that he would ensure that Rangareddy and Mahbubangar districts would get irrigation facilty under a project to be taken up in Mahbubnagar district and that he would take steps for setting up a vegetable research station in Chevella.

There is a need for a second airport for Hyderabad, Chandrasekhara Rao said.

KCR promises 50 lakh jobs

TRS chief harps on ITIR project and world-class Hyderabad

The TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao harped on Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) project in Hyderabad promising 50 lakh jobs and creating a world class city.

In his first ever election meeting in GHMC limits at Alwal here on Saturday, Mr. Rao said a dynamic and committed leader only can ensure that the ITIR project is grounded properly and Hyderabad is turned into a world-class city inviting investments. Only TRS can provide such leadership.

He said Congress leaders ‘controlled’ and ‘guided’ by leaders from Seemandhra region can never provide a corruption-free government, which is necessary for the growth of Telangana. Despite the new State taking shape the old issues of employees and water are yet to be sorted out and only TRS has the guts to take up them.

The TRS chief, apparently to appeal to seemandhra voters, said the TRS respects them as long as they live in harmony and not boss over the locals. “They should realise the aspirations of Telangana people of self-rule and self-respect. We will not tolerate any bossism,” he said referring to Seemandhra employees’ agitations in Secretariat. Appealing to the Muslim community, he said the Wakf Board will have judicial powers in the Telangana government and reiterated his commitment to 12 per cent reservations to minorities. He said 1.4 lakh acres were donated by landlords of districts surrounding Hyderabad and one lakh of those have been occupied. The new government will take back those lands at any cost.

Stating that the BJP-TDP alliance was not in the interests of the new State, he called upon the youngsters not to waste their votes but choose the TRS candidates so that Telangana can have its say in Parliament. He said there was a TRS wave in Telangana and none can stop it. Malkajgiri MP candidate, Mynampalli Hanumantha Rao and Assembly candidate, T. Kanaka Reddy spoke. Candidates from other constituencies were present.

Kalvakuntla Kavitha to follow dad’s footsteps

Hyderabad: Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who is contesting as TRS candidate for Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat, said her father KCR is her “role model” in implementing various schemes for the benefit of public during his tenure as MP and MLA for over 25 years and she wanted to replicate the same, if elected.

She said Siddipet in Medak district used to face severe drinking water problem and her father could successfully resolve the issue by spending large amount of funds as MLA.

“Today, every household in Siddipet gets safe drinking water because of my father’s efforts. I want to follow in his footsteps to address the severe drinking water problem being faced by people in all segments of Nizamabad. Despite having big leaders like D. Srinivas, Shabbir Ali, Madhu Yashki, Santhosh Reddy etc, there is no development over the years and people are denied basic needs like safe drinking water,” Ms Kavitha said.

The TRS leader, who had been actively associated with the Telangana movement since the last seven years by setting up Telangana Jagruthi, shot into limelight by taking an active part in the Million March on Tank Bund and the “Saagara Haaram” at Necklace Road.

As a TRS candidate, she is now visiting slums in urban and interior areas to know the problems being faced by the people. Addressing the public gatherings along with traditional Telangana songs, Kavitha is trying to attract the masses with her oratory skills.

Looking as the girl next to the door, Kavitha is calling the voters as Annalu (brothers), Akkalu Chellellu (sisters). She stressing the local issues besides her party manifesto and assuring to sort out long pending problems. After jumping into election fray, Kavitha has almost been working around 20 hours per day.

She is interacting with different groups of people at her residence in New Housing Board colony in Kanteshwer area of Nizamabad after electioneering hours. Receiving the activists, fans and commoners with affection, she is trying getting their support in the elections.

Being an engineering graduate Kavitha is also garnering the support of educated youth in different areas. Speaking fluently in English with them, she is trying to know their needs.

He also has command over Hindi and Urdu and is also easily communicating with the minorities, especially Muslims, whose number is sizeable in Nizamabad Parliamentary constituency.

If TRS wins, those guilty of corruption will be jailed: K Chandrasekhar Rao

Sangareddy: Accusing Congress of indulging in corruption in Andhra Pradesh, TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has said if his party was voted to power in Telangana, those found guilty of graft would be sent to jail.

"Congress government has embarrassed the whole state through their corruption, as many ministers and bureaucrats are facing CBI cases. If TRS comes to power (in Telangana), it would eradicate corruption and the guilty will be sent to jail," Rao said.

The TRS chief, who is contesting from Gajwel Assembly seat, was addressing a rally at Gawel town in Medak district.

"Political leaders from Seemandhra region feel that if TRS comes to power in Telangana, the party would recover from them the lands that they had encroached upon. Therefore, the leaders from Seemandhra plotted a conspiracy to keep TRS away from power in Telangana. As part of this, TDP and BJP formed an alliance," he said.

He urged people to vote for TRS in order to strengthen Telangana.

"No one from Telangana region should vote for the staunch supporters of united Andhra Pradesh. Giving vote to BJP means backing the Seemandhra parties as TDP and BJP are in alliance."

"We have achieved Telangana state. Let us achieve self-governance and build golden Telanagana, which will be free from corruption," he added. He said his party was against the division of resources on the basis of population proportionate.

"We are against the 'option' system to government employees. Let the Andhra employees go to their native residuary state of Andhra Pradesh," he said. 

KCR Likely To Have Smooth Sailing In Medak

Medak: Riding on the back of the success of separate Telangana agitation, TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao is expected to sail through in Medak parliamentary constituency in the general elections. 

The TRS president represented Mahabubnagar in the outgoing Lok Sabha, but chose to contest from Medak, his native district, this time. 

He is also contesting from Gajwel Assembly seat in Medak district. 

Medak was once represented by late Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi and expelled TRS

MP Vijayashanti represented the constituency in the outgoing Lok Sabha. 

Vijayashanti joined the Congress after the passage of the Telangana Bill in Parliament and is now contesting from Medak Assembly segment. 

Medak district had been a stronghold for separate Telangana agitation and the TRS, though five, among seven, Assembly segments in the district are held by Congress in the outgoing Andhra Pradesh Assembly. 

The seven Assembly constituencies under Medak Lok Sabha seat are - Medak, Siddipet, Dubbak, Narsapur, Gajwel, Patancheru, and Sangareddy. 

Siddipet is a TRS stronghold with Chandrasekhar Rao himself and his nephew Harish Rao representing it in the AP Assembly during the last several years. The TRS president has not addressed any public meeting in the constituency so far, though he is expected to do so in the next couple of days.

Harish Rao, known for his oratory and managerial skills, is campaigning in the constituency to turn the tide in favour of his uncle. "We are mainly looking at the margin of victory (of the TRS president)," Harish Rao said. 

However, the BJP candidate Ch Narendranath, who unsuccessfully contested on Congress ticket in the 2009 Lok Sabha election, is striving hard to make it difficult for Chandrasekhar Rao. 

Narendranath is banking on the charitable activities, like mass marriages, organised by the trust run by him to win over the voters. 

"The welfare activities like mass marriages, scholarships and financial assistance for poor would ensure my victory. I am regularly in touch with the people and it will be an added advantage to me," Narendranath said. (PTI)

1st Signature to Waive Farm Loans, Says KCR

A day after AICC president Sonia Gandhi’s visit to Karimnagar district, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrashekar Rao attended an election public meting in Husnabad constituency headquarter here on Thursday.

Referring to Sonia’s comments that TRS has role in Parliament when the Telangana bill was passed, he said Sonia also mentioned indirectly that Telangana state was given with restrictions. Now there is a big responsibility on the TRS to remove obstacles and achieve complete Telangana, he said.

However, KCR did not make any comments against Sonia Gandhi, but criticised Congress leaders over their role during the Telangana movement.

He introduced Karimangar MP candidate B Vinod Kumar and Husnabad Assembly candidate V Satish Kumar to the people. He appealed to them to give power to the TRS to fulfill the promises he had made.

TRS would ensure drinking water to every village and a separate pipe line will be constructed from Lower Manair Dam, he said. He also promised irrigation water to this upland area.

TRS needs to win all the 17 MP seats and majority MLA seats to bring adequate funds from the Central government; otherwise Seemandhra leaders’ domination would continue on Telangana people, he said.

After the TRS government is formed in the state, he said his first signature would be on loan waiver for farmers up to `1 lakh. All tribal thands will be upgraded to grama panchayats and tribals willl have 12 percent reservation, he said. No other party knows Telangana people’s grievance as the TRS dies, he said.

KCR Seeks 17 MPs to Achieve Complete T

“The Telangana we all dreamt of has not been achieved. Congress only gave us a Telangana with numerous conditions attached,” TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao has said and called upon people to vote for TRS to ensure a ‘complete’ Telangana state.

Addressing large public meetings at Wanaparthy and  Mahbubnagar on Wednesday, the TRS chief said the very basis of Telangana state demand was justice in water sharing, assets and appointments. “But the conditions attached while giving Telangana, like Hyderabad as common capital for 10 years, deny us the state we had aspired for. The TRS should get all the 17 MP seats in the region to ensure justice,” he said.

KCR asked the people if there was anything wrong when he said Telangana employees will be in Telangana and Andhra employees in Andhra. “Congress leader Jairam Ramesh does not understand the situation. Why should a Telangana Secretariat have 90 percent Andhra employees. We will not let Andhra employees work in Telangana, come what may,” he said.

Stating the present elections are being held under the special circumstance, TRS chief cautioned people to be alert and not be taken for a ride by the Congress party’s claims and promises. “Congress leaders like Rajanarasimha and Ponnala are supporters of Andhra rulers and had never been part of Telangana movement. They claim settlers’ votes are theirs. I say they have no right to seek Telangana votes,” he said.

He decried the ‘injustice’ done to Telangana, which once prospered under Nizam’s rules. “They even want to divide Hyderabad House (AP Bhavan), which is rightfully Telangana’s,” he said. Describing political corruption as the biggest problem being faced today, he said in Telangana state there will not be any scope for political corruption.

“Be it my son, daughter or kin, none will be spared if they indulge in corruption and will be sent to jail,” he said.

Accusing both TDP and Congress governments of indulging in large-scale corruption, he said Chandrababu Naidu had sold Nizam Sugars without Cabinet approval. “Telangana government will conduct an enquiry and send Naidu to jail. It will not spare anyone who had looted the wealth of Telangana and see that everything taken is recollected,” he said.

Describing TDP chief as Andhra Babu, he said Naidu along with another Naidu of BJP has made a forced alliance and conspiring to defeat TRS.

Reiterating his secular stance and promises made to the minorities, TRS chief said he will see that the Wakf Board is given juridical powers and all encroached lands recovered.

He promised that the TRS government will ensure 14 lakh acres in Mahbubnagar district are irrigated by Krishna water through several projects like Palamur Lift Irrigation and also see that every household in Mahbabunagar town gets safe drinking water. “The district will be green and people will come here for work during harvest. There will be no more migrations,” he said.

He also said Mahbubnagar district will be split into three districts-Wanaparthy, Nagarkurnool and Mahbubnagar.

KCR urges Telangana voters to 'throw out Andhra parties'

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh is voting undivided in the national election - its bifurcation will take place formally on June 2.

But in Telangana, the region to be carved out as India's 29th state, the man who's likely to get the most seats has a clear message for his supporters. In one speech after another, K Chandrasekhar Rao, known for his gripping speeches and razor-sharp slashes at opponents, urges voters to "throw out" what he tags as "Andhra parties." 

Bulls-eye for KCR is Chandrababu Naidu, who heads the Telugu Desam Party or TDP and is expected to perform strongly in what KCR brazenly tags as "the other side" which will form the residuary state.

"Chandrababu Naidu says he won't go from here. Why? What work does he have here?'' challenged KCR, as he is known, at a rally two days ago. Another question: "In Telangana, do we need Chandrababu Naidu's 'Andhra' party? Whoever disagrees, raise your hand and stick to that stand."

KCR fronted the campaign for statehood for Telangana - in February, Parliament cleared the proposal to split Andhra Pradesh - and his Telangana Rashtra Samithi or TRS is likely to be rewarded in the coming state and national election.

The Election Commission is examining his speech to determine whether he violated rules. "We are investigating what language was used, whether it creates hatred among people of the two regions. If it does, we have to take cognizance and take action," said Bhanwar Lal, the Chief Electoral Officer.

Chandrababu Naidu said KCR's comments reflect a desperation to polarize the vote on regional lines. "People are losing confidence in the TRS," he alleged. Mr Naidu has tied up with the BJP for the election, and the combination is likely to perform strongly in Seemandhra, placing Mr Naidu within striking distance of the Chief Minister's Office of the new and downsized Andhra Pradesh.

Congress has no sympathy for Telengana: KCR

TRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday said that the Congress had carved out the separate Telangana state, but had imposed “restrictions”, that are against the wishes of the four crore Telangana people.

He said this was not the Telangana state for which the Telangana people had fought and hundreds of students had laid down their lives over the last six decades. He urged people to vote for the TRS to achieve a “free and sampoorna Telangana” without any restrictions.

Mr Rao alleged that the Centre had imposed several restrictions on the Telangana state under pressure from Seemandhra leaders. Addressing a mammoth election meeting at Vanaparthy, Mahbubnagar, on Wednesday, Mr Rao said, “Congress has no sympathy for Telangana people. We can secure a free Telangana state  only through TRS. It is the only party that belongs to the Telangana region.” 

TRS asks Sonia Gandhi to apologise for suicides of 1,200 youth in Telangana movement

Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti stepped up its attack on the Congress and demanded UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to apologise for the death of 1,200-odd youth in the movement for a separate state. It said the Congress will be routed in the country and will not get even 70 Lok Sabha seats.

Even as Mrs Gandhi undertook a whirlwind tour to Karimnagar for the election campaign, TRS legislators K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao hit out at the Congress for suicides and granting statehood to neglected Telangana with several conditions, which they said was unjust and atrocious.

“Mrs Gandhi should apologise to people for the deaths of 1,200 innocent youth. The opportunistic politics of the Congress is the root cause for the deaths. Mrs Gandhi owes an unconditional apology,” Mr Rama Rao said.

Stating that the Congress had no option, but to grant Telangana, he alleged that the party’s dilly dallying on the statehood issue led to suicides.

“Congress will face humiliating defeat in the country. It will not get even 70 seats. Surveys also indicate Rahul Gandhi will be out. The Congress is a sinking ship and people know what would happen if they vote for it. Sonia Gandhi ignored the needs of Telangana people and granted statehood with several conditions,” the TRS leader added.

The TRS sought an immediate change in Polavaram design to avoid submergence of many girijan villages, cancellation of ordinance merging seven Telangana mandals with Seemandhra in Khammam district.

Congress, TRS slug it out as poll fever grips Telangana

Hyderabad: With election temperatures rising in Telangana, the TRS and Congress seem to be at each other's throats as the war of words between the two main contenders in the region, set to become a new state on June 2, is showing no signs of abating. 

As voting nears for the Lok Sabha polls in Telangana (April 30), where simultaneous elections would be held for 119 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha seats, the barbs between TRS supremo K Chandrasekar Rao (KCR), Telangana PCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah is getting nastier with both challenging each other for a debate on the backwardness or development of Telangana. 

The contrast can't get more stark than this. Not long ago, bonhomie marked the relations between the two parties after the Telangana Bill was passed by Parliament as there were expectations that they would merge or at least have an electoral alliance. 

But with TRS deciding to shut the door on Congress vis-?-vis both options and deciding to go it alone, the two parties seem to be in a no holds barred attack against each other. 

The hostility between the two parties which once considered closer on the 'ideological' platform scaled new heights in recent time after the TRS chief termed Lakshmaiah as the "agent" of Rajya Sabha MP KVP Ramachandra Rao, a Seemandhra Congress leader who vociferously objected to the formation of Telangana state. 

Reacting to this, Lakshmaiah described KCR as an opportunist and alleged that he sold TRS party tickets in the elections. 

Joining the chorus with his father, KCR's son K T Ramarao today demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi for "delay" in formation of Telangana.
"Ten years back, Sonia Gandi promised Telangana if they come into power in both State and Centre. Now they (Congress) owe an explanation as to why it took ten years for the state formation. Due to the deal, many young people lost their lives," Ramarao fumed at Congress.

He also demanded that the Congress apologise to the families of those lost their lives for the formation the state.

TJAC divided over supporting TRS

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi met with stiff resistance when the matter of extension of support to parties in the coming elections was discussed at a meeting of the steering committee of Telangana Joint Action Committee.

Sources said a couple of leaders of JAC favoured supporting the TRS as it was in the forefront of the struggle for separate Telangana but sparks flew immediately from the opponents. They protested that the TRS was no longer fighting on the statehood issue as it has become a full-fledged political party. The TRS gave tickets to anti-social elements, financially strong persons and leaders who suppressed pro-Telangana supporters. It happened not only in the case of Konda Surekha and P. Mahender Reddy earlier but more recently with Bajireddy Goverdhan and Jalagam Venkata Rao, they reasoned.

The party overlooked the cadre who waged relentless struggle for statehood. “Why should the JAC support such a party,” they asked.

The leaders also took exception to the TRS maintaining silence when the issue of submergence ofvillages in Polavaram project came up for debate in Parliament. The party adopted double standardsby insisting, prior to bifurcation, on pre-1956 status of Telangana that excluded Khammam where the villages were located but demanding villages now.

Sources added that some of the leaders sympathised with the Congress for conceding Telangana State at the expense of losing Seemandhra. It was decided not to support Telugu Desam and YSR Congress as they were opposed to Telangana and confine discussions to positions on TRS, Congress and BJP. The debate will continue on April 18 though it was likely that the organisation might decide to remain neutral in view of the some or other positive role by all three parties.

The JAC also revamped its organisational structure by inducting C. Vittal as co-chairman and TNGOs union president G. Deviprasad Rao as convenor. M. Kodandaram and Mallepalli Laxmaiah will remain chairman and co-chairman respectively.

Telengana Rashtriya Samiti sure of Mahbubnagar win

Mahbubnagar: TRS’ Mahbubnagar Parliamentary candidate A.P. Jithender Reddy has immense faith inLord Hanuman, whose shrine is in the remote village of Pamapuram in Kothakota mandal of Mahbubnagar district.
He won the 1999 Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket after offering prayers and launching his campaign from this little known village. Mr Reddy, who is locked in a triangular all-Reddy contest, made it a point to offer prayers again this morning from this village and is confident of a thumping victory with Hanuman’s and the Telangana voters’ blessings.
“KCR (TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao) should be CM. Only then the new state of Telangana will prosper and make rapid strides. I will visit this temple again after winning,” he asserts as the motley crowd of youth, women, and the old and infirm clap loudly.
The 59-year-old NRI-turned-politician, a commerce graduate and prominent businessman, takes on Congress stalwart and Union minister, S. Jaipal Reddy and BJP heavyweight, Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy.
As Mr Reddy arrives in his luxury car, the crowds swell near the Hanuman temple. He is accompanied by Mr Ala Venkateswara Reddy, the TRS’ Deverkadra Assembly nominee.
He reminds the crowd waiting in the hot sun of the 14-year struggle of Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who launched the party, undertook a series of agitations and finally achieved Telangana.
He explains the salient features of the party’s election manifesto, enumerates the problems confronting the region such as irrigation and power and tells the crowd why this election is crucial and why they should vote for the TRS.
“TRS has to win these elections with a thumping majority to fulfil your dreams. Think twice before you cast your vote. You have to vote for the TRS like the way you participated in the Telangana movement. If theCongress was sincere, it would have given Telangana in 2004. But it did not and tried to wean away TRS MLAs.
He asks the crowd, “Did Jaipal and Nagam visit your village?”
“NO!” yells the crowd.
“Mr Jaipal may be a good Parliamentarian, but he is bad Palamurian (Palamur, nick name of Mahbubnagar),” he says while addressing roadside meetings in his Parliamentary constituency.
TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu played dirty with Telangana people and tried to stall till the last, but the TRS forced the Centre to grant statehood for Telangana. Congress and Telugu Desam have no moral right to seek votes in the name of Telangana," said Mr Reddy.
He demanded to know what his rival Mr Jaipal Reddy has done for this region though he was Union Minister and held a key portfolio. He also lambasts Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy for doing nothing despite being minister for Panchayat Raj, Health and Excise.
He asks the crowd, "Did Jaipal Reddy and Nagam Janardhan Reddy visit your village?"
"NO!" yells the crowd.
"Mr Jaipal Reddy may be a good parliamentarian, but he is a bad Palamurian (Palamur, nick name of Mahbubnagar).
"Mr Jaipal Reddy's aim is Delhi and he makes it a point to shift constituencies to be able to go to Delhi since he will be thrown out if he contests again from the same place, as he does nothing for the public at large. He is already thinking about his next constituency," Mr Reddy jeered.
He rubbishes the claims of other parties in the founding of Telangana State. "Congress says it gave Telangana, TRS says it fought for it and BJP says it extended cooperation in the passage of the bill. But remember, Telangana was possible only through TRS. It fought till the last and it alone can implement the promises."
Continuing his attack on Mr Jaipal Reddy, he reminds his listeners of the Union minister's statement where he claimed he was a "nationalist" and refused to comment in support of Telangana at a meeting in Mahabubnagar. "At 75 why should he lie? In Chevella he said he fought for Telangana."
Mr Jithender Reddy fought Mr Jaipal Reddy in the 2009 elections on a Telugu Desam ticket from the Chevella Lok Sabha constituency and lost by a slender margin of about 9000 votes. While Mr Jaipal Reddy polled 4,20,807 votes, he got 4,02,275 votes, the shortfall due to settlers voting against the TD tie-up with the TRS in Serilingampally. He joined the TRS in 2010 and is now the party politburo member. This is the fifth election Mr Reddy is contesting. He has won only once, in 1999.
Mr Jithender Reddy fought on a NTR TDP ticket from Mahabubnagar in 1996, on a BJP ticket against Mr Jaipal Reddy and Mr Mallik Zarjun in 1998. Contesting on a BJP ticket again, he defeated Mr Mallikarjun in Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha constituency in 1999. He did not contest in 2004, and in 2006 he re-joined the TD. He was shifted to Chevella since KCR opted for Mahabubnagar in the mahakutami alliance in 2009.

TRS chief's entry puts Gajwel in the spotlight

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has not lost an election since 1985. He won four consecutive elections from Siddipet and won both Karimnagar Lok Sabha and Siddipet Assembly seats simultaneously in 2004. 

The architect of separate Telangana movement is sure that it will be a cakewalk for him in the Gajwel Assembly segment in the ensuing elections.

Gajwel Assembly segment consists of Toopran, Vargal, Mulugu, Gajwel, Jagdevpur and Kondapaka with over 2, 27,467 voters.


With the entry of KCR as he is fondly addressed, the face of Gajwel constituency has suddenly changed. The contest which the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was hoping to win has suddenly become hot with the entry of KCR as TRS has nevercontested from Gajwel before. TRS, which could only muster 35 seats out of 128 in local body elections in the past is hoping to hoist the party flag in Gajwel. Sitting MLA T Narsa Reddy of Congress and Vanteru Pratap Reddy of TDP are the other two prominent contenders in this segment.

“KCR’s agricultural farm is located in Errapalli on the outskirts of Jagadevpur. He is a known person there but TRS lacks cadre in Gajwel and Congress has grassroot workers who will ensure our victory,” Narsa Reddy says. However Narsa Reddy understands that he is pitted against the TRS chief and his second rung leaders have already migrated to TRS as they thought that the TRS merger with Congress was imminent. Congress cadre is in a shock as they have to fight TRS. “TRS victory here is decided. The only thing to see is the margin,” says T Harish Rao, who has been camping here from the past fortnight for his uncle KCR and leading the campaign.

On the other hand TDP candidate V Pratap Reddy hopes to give a tough fight to KCR.

“TRS always gave Gajwel seat to alliance partner, and it has no cadre base here. 

TDP is strong here and the voters are vexed with Narsa Reddy’s inaction,” says Pratap Reddy, who is confident of winning Gajwel. But TDP is also facing migrationof its cadre to TRS and support from its alliance partner BJP has been elusive so far.

KCR’s hidden agenda in mooting third alternative

TRS chief aims at garnering the votes of minorities and improve the chances of his party forming the government in Telangana

By advocating a non-Congress and non-BJP alternative at the Centre after the elections, TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao seems to have succeeded in pushing a hidden agenda with the sole aim of winning the votes of minorities and scaling up the chances of the party to form the first government in Telangana.
Mr. Rao thundered at Sunday’s election rally in Karimnagar that his party would join the third alternative as it is cent per cent secular. Sources say Mr. Rao deliberately played the minority card, knowing fully well that the third alternative is a far cry in the present circumstances as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is poised to get over 230 Lok Sabha seats, as per most of the surveys. He apparently thinks the vote of minorities is crucial in the event of a hung Assembly in Telangana where TRS and Congress will have to share the spoils.
In such a scenario, sources added that Mr. Rao is more likely to bargain with the BJP rather than Congress as the latter’s tally of Lok Sabha seats is not expected to be significantly higher than 100. It would be a give and take for TRS and BJP as they could lend support to each other in formation of governments in Telangana and Centre respectively. With eight or nine MPs, the TRS could help BJP at the Centre and vice-versa in the State. The Congress, on the other hand, will have no stakes to support formation of a TRS government because of its own poor position at the Centre.
As far as the BJP’s ally Telugu Desam is concerned, there would be no other go for the TDP but to yield because it has been a traditional rival of Congress. The TDP would be forced to assist the formation of TRS government not only with its few elected MLAs but the defections from the former prior to the elections. Nearly 15 TDP MLAs have jumped to TRS in the last one year.
Sources point out that this is not the first time that Mr. Rao had predicted the emergence of a third alternative. When the voting in Parliament on nuclear deal took place in 2008, he met CPI and CPI(M) general secretaries A.B. Bardhan and Prakash Karat respectively and announced the likelihood of Mayawati becoming Prime Minister with the collapse of the UPA government following the voting.
It may be recalled that Mr. Rao forged alliance with the CPI, CPI(M) and TDP in 2009 elections but rushed to Haryana to participate in a rally of NDA even before the results were declared.

Will get clear majority: TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao

TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao is confident of leading the government in Telangana. The mood now in Telangana is: "Let's give TRS a chance." Free integrated KG to PG education, free two-bedroom house for weaker sections, quality government medicare, waiver of farm loans up to `1 lakh, water for irrigation and drinking, security for all including women, jobs for locals, focus on ITIR, turning Hyderabad into both software and hardware hub, location and need specific industries and institutions, new thermal power projects to overcome shortages, etc. Why not shift it to the outskirts and use the land for educational institutes.

KCR’s Samara Sankharavam Today

TRS president K Chandrashekar Rao’s election campaign ‘Samara Shankharavam’ will be held at SRR Government Degree College play grounds on Sunday evening.

The TRS district unit has made all arrangements under the supervision of Karimnagar Parliament in-charge B Vinod Kumar and town president Ravinder Singh.

In 2001, after forming TRS party, the first public meeting of TRS - ‘Simha Garjana’ - was held on the same grounds.

We are planning massive public gathering for Samara Shankharavam, Ravinder Singh said.

KCR will reach the venue in helicopter to address  a gathering of nearly one lakh. MLA candidates of 13 constituencies and Karimnagar and Peddapalli Parliament candidates will attend the meeting.

This is the first time KCR will visit Karimnagar after state bifurcation.

Congress Copied from TRS Manifesto: KCR

Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhara Rao on Saturday exuded confidence that his party would form the first government in Telangana state.

Speaking to newsmen at Telangana Bhavan here after conferring with party leaders ahead of taking a plunge in campaigning for general elections, Rao said: “I am 100 per cent sure that we will come to power in Telangana state.”

Chandrasekhara Rao said that his party would implement all the promises made in the TRS manifesto. “These promises are not beyond our reach. We have incorporated in the manifesto only those promise which we are confident of implementing,” he said.

He said the Congress had lifted portions from TRS manifesto and compiled them into a manifesto of its own. It says it would split 10 districts in Telangana into 20. Why haven’t they done so far and why are they saying it now? he asked.

He came down heavily on Telangana Congress chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah for trying to target him. “The Congress has nothing to offer to people. That is why targeting me has become the quintessence of their campaign,” Chandrasekhara Rao said.

Taking pot-shots at Union minister Jairam Ramesh, Rao said: “Jairam Ramesh cannot win even a panchayat election. In fact it was Jairam who had done a lot of harm to Telanganga state.”

The TRS chief sought to pacify the ruffled feelings of those who could not get tickets to contest the ensuing elections. “I understand the agony of leaders like M Bikshapathy, Bonthu Ramamohan and Yerrolla Srinivas. I will definitely send them to the council. We have given tickets to only those who had served the party. I will  remember those who worked hard in the movement and yet could not get party tickets,’’ he said.

TRS Campaign from April 16

The TRS will be leveraging heavily on 3D hologram technology in reaching people as time is short for the elections. According to TRS chief K Chadrasekhara Rao, by making use of this technology he intends to reach people in 700 places at the rate of about 40 places a day. In Hyderabad too, he intends to reach people in 200 localities. He will begin campaigning from April 16. He intends to cover six to eight places every day. During day time, he will use helicopter and during nights go by road to reach people. He will address three major public meetings at Karimnagar (April 13),  Nalgonda (April 14) and Nizamabad (April 15).