TRS chief gets good response on campaign trail

By T. Lakshmipathi

BHONGIR, JUNE 21. The Telangana Rastra Samithi president, Mr.K.Chandrasekhar Rao, kicked off his party's campaign for the Panchayat elections with an appeal to the voters not to get overawed by the "new found affection" being exhibited by the Chief Minister, Mr.N.Chandrababu Naidu, for Telangana.

Addressing a series of roadside meetings on his way to Warangal from Hyderabad on Thursday, Mr.Rao promised to secure separate statehood for Telangana if the people supported his party in the coming local body elections.

It was Mr.Rao's first foray into the Telangana hinterland after the TRC was recognised by the State Election Commission as a political party and allotted the symbol of "Haldar" for the Panchayat polls. His campaign theme was that a vote for TRC in the local body election would embolden the new outfit to fight for Telangana.

The 140-km drive from Hyderabad to Warangal turned out to be a colourful roadshow with a fleet vehicles sporting the TRS flags zooming past the towns and villages en route. The TRS chief drew enthusiastic crowds as he set out from Hyderabad around 11.30 am. He was behind schedule as his convoy was stopped virtually at every major village and town en route.

It looked as though the villages and towns were painted pink, the colour of the TRS flag. Huge cutouts, banners and buntings were put up to greet Mr.Rao by the party activists who burst crackers amid scenes of jubilation as they sited their leader, dressed in a pink shirt and white trousers.

The turnout of youth, who trailed his convoy, was impressive but there were less number of women along the way he travelled. Yet he was received with traditional "harathi" by women at important road junctions. "Jai Telangana" slogan rent the air as the loudspeakers blared songs set to rousing tunes to evoke an emotive appeal.

At Pembarthy, some DWCRA women said they were attracted to TRS as Mr.Rao promised "self-rule" though they acknowledged the benefits from the TDP regime.

His first halt was at Tarnaka on the city outskirts and one lost count of the places he halted on his way to Warangal. His address ran on a similar pattern. He flayed the Chief Minister, Mr.N.Chandrababu Naidu, for the haste with which foundation stones for irrigation projects are being laid with an eye on the elections.

"It is a fraud being played on the people of Telangana", Mr.Rao flared as the audience clapped. There is no chance of Telangana developing in an integrated State, "as Andhra rulers will never do justice to us". One generation of people in 650 villages of Nalgonda became physically handicapped as they were not provided safe water to drink. Telangana's due share of 650 tmcft of Krishna water was exploited by Andhra region and yet the Government went ahead with Pulichintala work, he charged.

The TRC chief said "we are not seeking creation of a new State but restoration of Telangana State which was existing prior to its merger with Andhra. In a derisive tone, he said political acumen is not the prerogative of the Chief Minister alone. "We too are endowed with political intellect to counter his game".

Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao said the Chief Minister was desperately after Godavari to please the Telangana people who were not prepared to be beguiled. "I will hand over Telangana to you shortly", he assured. His speeches were well received.

He started the campaign by garlanding statue of Ambedkar at Habsiguda. Hoisting the party flag and garlanding the statues of leaders continued en route. At Bhongir, he held a meeting at the statue of A.Madhava Reddy, Telugu Desam leader and former Minister, whose brother, A. Krishna Reddy, was among those who welcomed the TRS leader's convoy.

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