Farmers Movement Archive

In a first, Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao campaigns in a bypoll, targets Congress

HYDERABAD: After ignoring to campaign for the party candidates in by-elections in the last six years after coming to power in 2014, TRS president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday went to Nagarjuna Sagar where the bypolls are due. This is the first time that KCR is canvassing for the party in a by-election in the state which has seen 5-6 bypolls in the last six years. Though he was worried over the reverses the party had suffered in Dubbak bypolls and GHMC elections at the hands of the BJP, the TRS chief took up campaigning in Nagarjuna Sagar mainly to target Congress, which has a strong presence in the assembly constituency. At a public meeting in Halia which falls under Nagarjuna Sagar constituency, the CM attacked Congress and its leaders for the ‘gross injustice’ meted out to Telangana and said the grand old party does not have a right to even utter the word ‘Telangana’. While urging the people to think about the unique schemes being implemented by his government, the CM said people should vote for his party only if they are convinced with its work. “Even if there is a single lie in what we say, defeat us in the election. If our schemes and promises are true, make sure that the opposition parties do not even get a deposit.” KCR hit the campaign trail in Nagarjuna Sagar even before the Election Commission announces the poll date. In Dubbak, he did not campaign, while in Huzurnagar, he attended a victory rally after the poll outcome. He was supposed to address a rally in Huzurnagar in October 2019 but cancelled at the last minute following heavy rains. In Palair bypoll in 2016 too, he did not campaign. In his about one-hour long speech, the CM said TRS has every right to seek votes considering the backwardness of the region. Congress is likely to field former minister and veteran party leader K Jana Reddy. TRS is yet to decide on its candidate. The bypoll is necessitated following the death of sitting TRS legislator Nomula Narsimhaiah. Interestingly, except once in his speech, the TRS chief did not criticise the BJP and talk about farm laws. “Both Congress and BJP leaders are talking nonsense. The parties are testing our patience with loose talk. There is a limit to what we can tolerate. We are not going to sit idle. We will pay back in the same coin. We will crush them,” KCR warned. He said TRS government is not a ‘Delhi-nominated’ but a government elected by people, taking a dig at Congress high command for selecting CMs sitting in Delhi. “We said we would not seek votes in 2018 elections if Mission Bhagiratha scheme was not completed. But we have proved our commitment,” the CM said. Taking exception to Congress’s ‘Polam bata-poru bata,’ he wondered: “Are you (Congress) protesting as TRS government is implementing Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, Mission Kakatiya or for producing record paddy.” He said: “Some Congress leaders are saying Mission Kakatiya is Commission Kakatiya. Did Congress leaders get kickbacks when Nagarjuna Sagar was constructed,” he asked.

The Times of India

2021-02-11

Hyderabad