KCR throws down challenge to Shah

Prove your charges and I will resign, or else you should apologise, Telangana CM says

Even as BJP president Amit Shah was in Hyderabad on the last leg of his three-day tour, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao reacted angrily to his criticism of the TRS government.

Responding to Amit Shah’s claims that the Centre had given an assurance of Rs1 trillion (Dh56.72 billion) to Telangana during last three years — but the TRS government in the state had failed to utilise it — KCR threw down a challenge.

“If Amit Shah proves his allegations, I will immediately resign as chief minister,” KCR said. “Otherwise he should tender an apology to the people of the state”.

With Shah scheduled to address a meeting of BJP workers from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency, the chief minister convened a press conference at his camp office to launch a counterattack.

Asserting there was a limit for patience and tolerance, KCR said he could not be expected to keep quiet in the face of such comments.

“If you criticise me personally it is not a problem for me but if you make comments which affect my state I will not keep quiet. For KCR, Telangana is badshah [the king].”

Replying to a question, KCR said he did not see any danger of harm to his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after what Shah had said.

He also stressed he was not adopting a course of confrontation with the Centre.

“My only pain and reaction is that the unwarranted and uncalled for comments by Amit Shah will adversely affect the development of Telangana. In such a case KCR will never keep quiet. I hope the system will prevail and he will set himself right. He should take it as advice and correct himself,” KCR said.

‘Not giving us charity’

On Shah’s claims regarding Central funds to Telangana, KCR said “[The] Centre is not giving us any charity. It is our right”.

Reeling out the figures of Telangana’s share in various taxes, KCR said the Centre had given Rs500 billion to the state, and not double that amount as claimed by Shah.

Brushing aside the BJP president’s claim that his party would come to power in the state in 2019, KCR said, “the latest survey shows that the BJP will not get even one seat in the state”.

When asked whether the TRS would support the BJP candidate in presidential elections next month, KCR said no such decision had been taken.

“The TRS Legislature party will meet on May 27 and a decision will be taken,” he said.