Crowd at T Harish Rao's home surprises TRS ranks

Hyderabad: Huge crowds turning up at the residence of former minister T. Harish Rao in Minister’s Quarters in Banjara Hills has left not only political circles but also TRS leaders surprised.

It may be noted that thousands of his supporters turned up at Mr Harish Rao’s residence a day after the appointment of K.T. Rama Rao as TRS working president.

The crowds and their vehicles near Harish Rao’s residence led to a traffic jam in nearby roads. Large crowds of supporters are also turning up at Mr Rama Rao’s house following his appointment.

This is quite natural as activists and support rush to greet a prominent political leader getting an important post.

Therefore, the presence of the large numbers of people at Mr Harish Rao’s residence has become a point of discussion in TRS circles. In another words it has become an unofficial show of strength between Mr Rama Rao and Mr Harish Rao.

After party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Mr Harish Rao is the most popular among party leaders and workers. He has helped the party grow from the grassroot level.

After Mr Rama Rao’s appointment, discussion has started about the role of Mr Harish Rao in the party and the government. TRS leaders said they were driven by anxiety and had reached Mr Harish Rao’s residence to inquire about his future.

During the election campaign, the TRS had blanked Mr Harish Rao out of its official media for some days. This disturbed Mr Harish Rao who during a campaign speech in Ibrahimpur, Siddipet, said, “I have received so much love and affection from you all, this warmth and honour is enough for this life, what more can i ask for? It is better if one were to leave politics when there is such overwhelming love.”

This set off waves within the TRS and fuelled speculation about the differences between Mr Harish Rao and Mr Rao. The TRS leadership later started giving publicity to Mr Harish Rao. Mr Rama Rao went to Mr Harish Rao’s residence and both said they had no differences.

After Mr Rama Rao was appointed TRS working president, Mr Harish Rao congratulated him on Twitter. Mr Rama Rao then went to his residence to get his blessings. Within 24 hours the situation has changed with the huge crowds at Mr Harish Rao’s house.

Mr Harish Rao is known as the troubleshooter in the TRS, and Mr Chandrasekhar Rao has said so several times in public.

But Mr Harish Rao’s followers feel that he may be in trouble. The TRS leaders are said to be discussing the kind of role that Mr Chandrasekhar Rao will give Mr Harish Rao will get in the party and government. 

Despite Mr Harish Rao and Mr Rama Rao repeatedly saying they have no differences, TRS leaders read a different inside story. The future moves of Mr Chandrasekhar Rao will be a pointer to Mr Harish Rao’s role.