One may dismiss it as height of imagination. But in politics, anything is possible and nothing is ruled out, particularly when both Telugu states go to polls in 2019.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Telugu Desam Party leaders’ bonhomie is limited to handshakes, greetings and occasional smiles for camera persons covering official events and functions. Beyond that the chief ministers of both states have daggers drawn at each other on and off the stage.
Amidst all that venomous talk comes the speculation that the sworn political enemies may bury the hatchet. The assumption is born out of peace signals given by Telangana IT Minister K Taraka Rama Rao (KTR), who is the son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Speaking at the Annual Day celebration of Tech Mahindra in Hyderabad on Thursday, KTR showered lavish praise on his family’s bête noire Chandrababu. Such admission of former CM’s contribution to Hyderabad development by a key member of the ruling family and party has been never heard of.
KTR said, according to press reports, “I can’t take undue credit for Microsoft being here. In fact, all credit goes to Chandrababu Naidu garu. He definitely has done his best (for the development of IT industry in Hyderabad.”
The minister’s unreserved praise for the former CM of united AP has become the gist for rumour mill in both the states that the two parties may form an alliance to challenge BJP, and possibly Congress, in 2019 Assembly and Parliament elections. Should it happen, it will be a demonstration of Telugu unity.
But words of caution are aplenty. Are political observers reading too much between the lines? In this case, between the words of KTR? But he wouldn’t have complimented Chandrababu, not in just a word but at length, without the blessings of his father KCR. That means it’s the first TRS salvo fired to test the political waters. If the trend continues, and the TDP reciprocates, we can expect the unexpected.
Then, Chandrababu Naidu will have the last laugh.
