TS drops charges on KCR, revokes

■ Statehood cases on KCR & Co. kept in abeyance due to poll code

In a dramatic development, the Telangana state revoked its own order to drop criminal cases against TRS supremo K. Chandrasekhar Rao, caretaker minister K.T. Rama Rao, Professor Kodandaram and 136 other politicians, who were booked by the Railway police during the agitation for a separate state.

However, within 24 hours of the government ordering the Railway police, which falls under the Central government, to drop the charges, another circular was issued on Tuesday stating that the first order was revoked.

It should be noted that the filing of nominations for the Assembly elections will intensity from November 14 with TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao and top guns in the political establishment filing their papers.

The cases booked against politicians are significant as details of every criminal case filed against them has to be mentioned in their affidavit. With the earlier order to drop the cases, the burden of mentioning them would have decreased, but now that the order has been revoked, politicians will have to list the cases against them.

The government requested the prosecuting officer concerned to take necessary action for withdrawal of prosecution against the accused persons.

Caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will file his nomination as the MLA candidate from Gajwel Assembly constituency for the second consecutive time on Wednesday. Continuing with the convention which he started practicing in 1985, Mr Rao will offer prayers at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Konaipally village of Nangaganur mandal.

Mr Rao would offer special prayers to Lord Venkateshwara on auspicious Karthika Shuddha Saptami and would reach Gajwel through helicopter to file his nomination at 11: 23 am. Mr Rao will resume his election campaign after the nomination.

The TRS founder had not only won the election since 1985 but also went on to win the elections from the Siddipet constituency six times in a row until 2004.