Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao goes soft on PM, sparks BJP deal talk

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s soft speech at Niti Aayog, the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dehi on Sunday has fuelled speculation over “friendly ties” between the TRS and the BJP.

The CM did not take up the issue of the Centre not fulfilling promises made to Telangana state in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, contrary to AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu who lashed out at the Centre for neglecting AP.

Mr Rao in his speech of seven minutes confined mostly to listing out farmer-friendly schemes implemented by the state government and irrigation projects.

Mr Naidu ignored the meeting’s agenda and schedule and spoke about the “injustice” meted to Andhra Pradesh in the presence of Mr Modi and CMs of all states present in the meeting.

Though Union home minister Rajnath Singh objected, Mr Naidu argued for more time and went on to speak for 20 minutes, faulting the Centre on GST, terms of reference for the 15th Finance Commission and not honouring provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act.

Though TS too has been facing similar problems due non-fulfillment of promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act, such as Bayyaram steel plant, Kazipet railway coach factory, tribal university etc, Mr Rao avoided mentioning those issues.

Mr Rao also did not take up the issue of the Centre not coming forward to extend '20,000 crore financial assistance to Mission Bhagiratha and '5,000 crore for Mission Kakatiya even after Niti Aayog the recommended them same two years ago.

Since it was a Niti Aayog meeting, Mr Rao had got the opportunity to bring up issue to the notice of PM and all states but he chose not to do so, Opposition parties said.

The main opposition Congress alleged that CM’s soft speech exposed a ‘hidden agenda’ and ‘frienly ties’ between the BJP and the TRS.

TPCC chief spokesperson Dr Dasoju Sravan said, “The CM’s speech proves beyond doubt that he compromised on the interests of Telangana for his selfish political gains. It also exposed the hidden agenda and friendly ties between the TRS and the BJP. KCR lost a good opportunity to expose BJP before the entire country over how it meted injustice to Telangana by not fulfillng the promises made in bifurcation Act.”

TS TD working president L. Ramana said the CM’s speech proved that he was working as an ‘agent’ for Mr Modi and the BJP and had no concern to safeguard the interests of Telangana state.