HYDERABAD: The entire TRS rank and file want K Chandrasekhar Rao to remain as Chief Minister for 15 more years, TRS leader KT Rama Rao said, adding that as party workers, both he and Harish Rao also wish the same.
In an informal chat with reporters here on Tuesday, Rama Rao blamed Congress leaders Vanteru Pratap Reddy and T Narsa Reddy for levelling baseless allegations against Harish Rao. “Harish Rao has already clarified that he was born in TRS and will die in the same party. We work together and family is above politics,” Rama Rao said. He also clarified that Chandrasekhar Rao would not change his Gajwel Assembly seat.
Excerpts of KT Rama Rao’s interaction with media
Disputes within Grand Alliance
The Grand Alliance is not picking up and there are disputes within them over sharing of seats. Once, they announce their candidates, the position of the TRS will further improve. There will be no time for them to pacify the dissidents after announcing the candidates. Though, the Congress and the TDP joined hands their votes will not be transferred.
All settlers will support TRS: KTR
In 2014, TJS Kodandaram’s followers were given Congress tickets. The CPI and Congress forged an alliance then. TDP and Congress jointly fought Paleru and other elections but people supported TRS.
TRS will get 100 seats
The differences within the TRS have almost subsided in the last one month. Going for early polls is a daring step and TRS will definitely win not less than 100 seats. .
On settlers issue
In 2014 Assembly elections, people in Hyderabad were angry with Congress and TRS for bifurcation of the state. Later, they changed their views on seeing law and order in the city.
They supported TRS in the GHMC elections. The same trend will continue in this Assembly elections too.
BJP will forfeit deposits in 100 seats
BJP candidates will forfeit their deposits in 100 seats. TRS will win in the five segments, which were represented by BJP in the dissolved Assembly. We will field strong candidates in Musheerabad and Amberpet. I used to watch a serial “mungerilal ke haseen sapne” in which the hero always dreamt of becoming Sachin Tendulkar one day and a filmy hero another day. The BJP leaders are like that. They cannot find out 70 candidates and they are dreaming of winning 70 Assembly seats.
Federal front
Congress and TDP are like birds of same feather. The Federal Front will be given focus after the Assembly elections. We believe that the growth of regional parties will strengthen the country and it will lead to real federal spirit. Stronger the States, strong the country. No party will be able to form government at the Centre after 2019 elections. Our aim is not to see Federal Front in power, but true implementation of federal structure. Coalition government failed in the Centre in the past but trying for it is not wrong.
‘Naidu is adopted Son of Congress’
AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has criticised Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the past but now he has become an adopted son of the Congress, KTR said. Congress could not face TRS and hence joined hands with Naidu, he added. Naidu is paranoid leader and whatever is happening in AP, he is making Prime Minister Modi responsible and then linking TRS with BJP, KTR said On the other hand, Naidu is behaving as if only he can face Modi in the country.