KCR MAY REqUEST ENTRY INTO NDA DURING MEETING wITH PM

Telangana Chief Minister K, Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) is likely to propose his Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s (TRS) entry into the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) when he gets a chance to have a one-on-one talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Gajwel in Medak district of the state on 7 August, Sunday.

KCR has indicated his willingness several times in the past to come closer to the NDA government as Congress is his principal opposition in Telangana. Although TRS maintains cordial relations with the Muslim-dominated MIM in Hyderabad, KCR believes that his joining NDA would not affect his “secular” credentials. Sources close to the Chief Minister told this newspaper that the chances of KCR having a political talk with PM Modi depend on the availability of time and opportunity. KCR will receive the PM at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad and would accompany him untilhe leaves for Delhi at around 8 pm, except for an hour at 7 pm, when the PM addresses a BJP rally in Hyderabad.

TRS, with its three MPs in Rajya Sabha, has displayed its full support to the GST Bill and has extended its backing to the NDA on most occasions in the past. “Even if we want to join NDA, it will be for the sake of development of the newest state, Telangana. We need a lot of funds and hand-holding by the Centre,” said an aide of the CM.

The BJP, which is seeking to expand its footprint across the southern states, might not be averse to the idea of consolidation of NDA by the entry of TRS, which won 11 MPs in the last general elections and three more MPs defected to it from other parties.

KCR has made elaborate arrangements for the maiden visit of the PM to Telangana since it was formed two years ago. After launching Mission Bhagiratha and a host of other developmental schemes at Komatibanda village, the PM would address a public rally, expected to be attended by around one lakh people.

Mission Bhagiratha may be the first such effort in the country to provide piped drinking water to all villages at zero cost. However, the water charges might be fixed once the scheme is fully operative by the end of 2018.

The CM would also present a memorandum on the problems faced by the state, seeking intervention of the PM. The division of combined high court, allotment of more services officers, allocation of funds for irrigation projects and compensation for revenue deficit are some issues on the agenda.