K Chandrashekhar Rao’s village property now houses a school
K Chandrashekhar Rao (Photo: Deccan Chronicle)
Medak: “Gadila paalana (rule of landlords)” has become the main weapon for rival parties in Telangana to attack TRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao. Rival leaders point out that KCR is a dora (landlord) who used to live in a gadi (fortress) in his native village Chintamadaka, 20 km from Siddipet.
KCR’s political rivals, especially the Congress and TD, have made this a poll issue and are extensively campaigning that KCR will bring back Gadila paalana in Telangana if he comes to power.
While Dora and gadi symbolise the feudal culture in Telangana, there is not a single gadi in Chintamadaka village now. KCR had donated his gadi to the government in 1997, which now houses a government primary school, named after his parents.
A visit to this tiny village with a population of about 2,000 throws up some interesting facts. KCR had donated his house to run a school during the TD regime. Incidentally, it was inaugurated by then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu in 1997, who is now KCR’s arch rival. Since the house had only seven rooms, it was not sufficient to accommodate the student intake, which increased to 200 over the years. KCR later donated another 5 acre, which is part of his gadi, where a new building was constructed for a high school and is functioning for five years.
The gadi also houses a water purification plant, which supplies mineral water cans for just '3 each to the villagers. Recalls 60-year-old K. Ashok Rao, the only family member of KCR – whom he calls Chinna Baapu – still living here, “KCR’s family has no assets here now. Everything has been donated to the government.” Villagers say that KCR comes to his village only to cast his vote during elections and for they owe the development of the place to the efforts of Siddipet sitting MLA T. Harish Rao, as the village is part of his constituency. They believe, that their situation improved after Mr Rao came.
However, villagers are proud that their dora played a crucial role in the formation of the T-state. “We will support KCR because it was he who achieved Telangana and fulfilled the dream of crores. For good or bad, he is our dora and we will stand by him,” they say.
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