Hyderabad: Stating that the MIM was an ally of the TRS, Chief Minister K. Chan-drasekhar Rao on Thur-sday said his party wou-ld win the GHMC polls and bag the Mayor’s seat. “We are sure of winning the Mayor’s post. Ours will be the single largest party in the GHMC,” he said.
He also hinted at an alliance with the MIM if the TRS cannot form the GHMC body on its own.
“There are three steps in the GHMC polls. First step, we will win Mayor seat as single largest pa-rty. All surveys, including Opposition survey, indicate 60, 70 and 80 seats for the TRS. Second, we have the advantage of a large number of ex-officio members. Of course, MIM is our friend.” He however took MIM to task for highlighting the beef issue.
Asked about the MIM campaign, Mr Rao said, “It is an unnecessary issue. Chinese eat sna-kes, frogs. Let people eat what they like. It’s the worst kind of campaign. All religions are equal for the TRS,” he said.
To another question on whether voters in the old city would vote for the TRS, he said, “We are contesting 150 seats. the MIM has hold in the old city with an MP and some legislators. This fact cannot be denied.”
Asked whether the GHMC polls would be a referendum on his rule, the Chief Minister said he would not indulge in such challenges since it was below his level.
Mr Rao took a dig at the Congress for promising to provide free dri-nking water, saying the GHMC had nothing to do with water supply which is handled by the Water Board, and he was its chairman. “Con-gress leaders are making promises without thinking,” he said.
He defended son and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao heading the GHMC campaign and refuted the Opposition charge that other ministers were made “dummies.”
He denied that Mr Rama Rao had said he would quit if the party doesn't win 100 divisions. “He never said that. Why are you putting words in his mouth,” the CM said.
Mr Rao denied he and his party were indulging in “political terrorism” and forcibly weaning leaders and cadre from other parties. “The large number of people joining us is nothing but realignment of political forces,” he said.
