KCR family visits Ramasethu and Rameswaram temple
Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao along with his family members offered prayers at the historic Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. They also visited Ramasethu, Panchamukha Hanuman and Dhanush Koti there. CM’s wife Sobha, son KTR and others accompanied him.
KCR reached Rameswaram one day in advance for this visit. He offered homage at the memorial and samadhi of former president APJ Abdul Kalam. KCR stayed overnight in Rameswaram and had darshan at the historic temples today. The priests accorded official honours to the visiting VIP. Unlike his visit to Kerala, KCR’s tour in Tamil Nadu remained low key due to unexpected political developments. DMK leader Stalin has not given positive response to meet KCR because of his political compulsions.
KCR loses hopes on Modi and gains confidence in Congress?
Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao is moving quickly to take maximum advantage during the formation of next government at the Centre. He seems to have lost hopes on the BJP’s winning chances this time. Political circles say that KCR is now trying to develop cordial relations with the Congress party. In his opinion, the Congress will get far less seats than BJP. So, Congress would be greatly dependent on regional allies which will give KCR a greater bargaining power once a Congress-led government comes to power at the Centre.
There are also reports that KCR has already begun efforts to gain confidence of Rahul Gandhi through Karnataka Chief Minister Kumaraswamy Gowda. This triggered speculation at the national level that KCR along with Jaganmohan Reddy will extend their support to the Congress-led alliance eventually. KCR has reportedly told Kumaraswamy that TRS and YCP together will have enough seats to help Congress gain upper hand over BJP. Analysts say that KCR has almost taken his decision to support Congress alliance.
Naidu still in campaign mode as KCR gets busy with Federal Front
AP CM Chandrababu Naidu is going to address election rallies of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal today and tomorrow. Naidu has already campaigned in Karnataka. Regional allies are preferring Naidu’s presence in their electioneering considering the TDP’s strong stand against PM Modi and the BJP. Whereas they have many doubts on the true intentions of Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and his Federal Front. With nobody inviting for election campaign, KCR apparently got busy with his so-called tour in Southern States to boost his Front.
Analysts say that KCR’s idea of unity among regional parties is very convincing but the problem is whether he can inspire confidence of the regional leaders or not. Chandrababu steadfastly maintained a pro-Congress stand though he didn’t openly support Rahul Gandhi’s candidature for the PM post. Naidu’s firm stance against Modi has also gone down well with regional leaders. KCR couldn’t get similar confidence because of his secret understanding with the BJP. Moreover, KCR met with Modi in the past which made other leaders suspicious of his Federal Front’s actual agenda.
DMK Stalin giving a rude shock to KCR’s Federal Front
Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao is on a whirlwind tour in Southern States to get support from regional parties for his Federal Front. He met Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan already. There were reports KCR is going to meet DMK leader Stalin in Chennai. Now, the scene has reversed. DMK leaders are not showing interest to continue previous cordial relations with KCR because of their existing tie-up with the Congress party. KCR and Congress have become sworn enemies.
In the past, Stalin and Kanimozhi held talks with KCR over Federal Front. At that time, DMK had no alliance with Congress. But things have changed dramatically now as Stalin became the first leader to express support for Rahul Gandhi for the PM post. Under such circumstances, Stalin is considering it inappropriate to meet KCR as this may send wrong signals politically. This development is seen as a rude shock to KCR. Most regional parties are seeing Federal Front as just KCR’s gameplan to split anti-Congress parties thereby to help Modi to gain a post-poll advantage.
Jagga Reddy’s surprise comments on KCR and Jagan
Congress MLA Jagga Reddy is known for his open, daring and controversial statements. Now, he made sensational remarks on the emerging national political scene. Jagga Reddy says that there’s no surprise if KCR and Jaganmohan Reddy joins the United Progressive Alliance after the results come out on May 23. His comments assumed significance as already AP CM Chandrababu Naidu indicated that two parties were changing their stand towards the BJP.
The national level politics has become very unpredictable these days because of the too many pressure groups emerging from different corners of the country. Jagga Reddy’s statement indicated that anything can happen after the results and foes would become friends overnight for the national parties which would need support to form the next government at the Centre.
I gave funds to KCR in 2008: KA Paul sensational comments
Evangelist turned politician KA Paul made sensational comments on KCR and KTR today. He gave strong warning to KTR and said his curse will be very dangerous and it will bring severe consequences to KCR and his family. Details as below.
KA Paul convened a press meet today and questioned KCR on board of intermediate fiasco. He told, if some one in their family commits suicide, will KCR respond the same way. He also added that KTR is mad after money and not able to understand the pain of the families of intermediate students. He revealed that, in 2008, KCR came to him for the blessings and he even gave funds to KCR then. He reminded that he was one among those who supported Telangana movement in the beginning days. In fact KA Paul had very strong image last decade and many people believe the words of Paul that he funded KCR.
However, KA Paul, went overboard as usual and made some additional comments and told that he can meet US president Trump and get his help to develop Telangana. He also added that, after results are out on 23rd May, he will have crucial role to play in the state and he will be the one deciding the CM of the state.
We will have to wait and see how KTR will respond to Paul’s comments.
KCR has practicable ideas for a non-BJP, non-Congress Front: Kerala CM
Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao met with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala. He told Vijayan about the aims and objectives of Federal Front and how the country badly needs a change of leadership at the national level. For seven decades, the Congress and the BJP ruled India but they have not brought in needed development as there are still villages that have no roads and electricity.
KCR explained how the Federal Front aims to serve as an effective platform for the non-BJP, non-Congress parties to assert their rights and emerge as a power centre in Delhi. The ultimate goal is to get more power to the regional parties in the national arena. Kerala CM Vijayan described KCR’s ideas as practicable. He said that these ideas would be discussed and debated within the CPM soon. KCR visited Kerala along with his family members and they offered prayers at the Ananta Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
KCR to meet DMK leader Stalin on May 13
In a move to intensify his efforts to give a concrete shape to his proposed Federal Front, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao will meet DMK President M.K. Stalin in Chennai on May 13.
“Both the leaders are likely to discuss the current political scenario in the contest of ongoing parliamentary elections,” said the Chief Minister’s Office.
An announcement to this effect was made on Monday even as Rao reached Thiruvananthapuram to meet his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan.
On knowing about Rao’s visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had a telephonic talk with him on Monday, the CMO said.
With his Kerala visit, the Telengana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief will be resuming his efforts for formation of a non-BJP, non-Congress government at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections.
KCR, as Rao is popularly known, will discuss the latest political developments with the Communist Party of India-Marxist leader.
He will also visit the Rameshwaram and Srirangam temples before returning to Hyderabad.
This will be KCR’s first meeting with any leader of a non-BJP and non-Congress party since the Lok Sabha elections began on April 10.
With the Lok Sabha election results expected on May 23, KCR is planning meetings with leaders of various parties to prepare the ground for formation of a non-BJP, non-Congress government.
KCR, who mooted the idea of Federal Front in March last year as an alternative to both the BJP and Congress, has met leaders of the Trinamool Congress, Biju Janta Dal, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (S) and DMK. He also invited YSR Congress Party to join the proposed front.
The TRS chief is confident that non-BJP, non-Congress parties would form the next government at the Centre.
KCR tour in Southern States to boost Federal Front
Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao is undertaking a tour in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states. He is scheduled to meet Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan today to discuss latest political situation in the country ahead of May 23 results. KCR is also keen to welcome the Left parties into the Federal Front of which he is the chairman. The Left parties are maintaining an equal distance from both the Congress and the BJP in the present general election. KCR is considering a tie-up with the Left will significantly boost his Front which is being projected as an alternative to the NDA and the UPA at the national level.
KCR is speeding up his Federal Front talks to emerge as a king-maker in the next government formation at the Centre. His appeal to the Telangana voters was also for their support to elect TRS MPs in all 16 seats so as to force any government at the Centre to concede Telangana state demands. After Kerala, KCR will go to Tamil Nadu where he will visit Rameswaram and Srirangam temples. He will also meet political parties there and hold discussions on his Federal Front.
Election Commission cautions KCR
Election Commission of India (ECI) has cautioned Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao not to dampen the sentiments of people for political interests. Further, the ECI has asked KCR to be more careful and abide by the Model Code of Conduct during the election campaign and addressing at public meetings.
TRS supremo KCR at a public meeting in Karimnagar on March 17, came down heavily on Congress and BJP and criticised them in his usual style. In his speech, KCR had criticised Congress and BJP as they project themselves as representatives of Hinduism.
During the Karimnagar public meeting, KCR remarked that “Aren’t we Hindus? Aren’t we visiting temples, Aren’t we offering prayers and tonsuring heads? In fact, we’re more devoted Hindus. No one in the country performed as many Havans as I did. BJP and Congress are portraying themselves as sole contractors of Hinduism. Hinduism of BJP and Congress is for votes and electioneering. Whereas, we’re real spiritual Hindus. Once, India gets rid of Congress and BJP, then only our nation can stand tall in the world.”
Responding to this speech of KCR, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) expressed concerns over the dampening the spirit of Hinduism.
“KCR has terms ‘Hindugallu and Bondugallu.’ This remark has hammered down the sentiments of Hindus. KCR’s speech was aimed at bringing divisions within the Hindus. KCR has violated Model Code of Conduct,” said M Rama Raju, VHP President, in his complaint to the ECI.
The ECI has got translated the VHP complaint into English and reviewed it. Later, the ECI has come to a conclusion that KCR’s speech was a violation of Election Code and opined that it was against the sentiments of caste, religious and social factors. Subsequently, the ECI on April 10 issued a notice to KCR asking him to respond within two days.
KCR in his reply to the ECI has condemned the false and baseless reports by VHP. KCR further said that his speech was cut and paste accordingly to frame him in the case.
After going through the KCR’s reply, the ECI once again heard his full speech and found that he violated the Election Code under para-1 (1) (3).
“We advise KCR to be more careful in future and abide by the Election Code during public meetings. Any political party or candidate should not speak against the harmony of religion, caste, language, tradition, etc,” said ECI.
Karnataka to release Krishna water for Telangana
The government of Karnataka has decided to release 2.5 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) water from Narayanpur reservoir across Krishna River to Telangana for meeting drinking water needs of people of Mahabubnagar district.
The water will be released from Narayanpur reservoir to the Jurala project to cater to the drinking water needs. In view of the water levels steeply coming down in the reservoirs of Mahabubnagar district, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao had requested his Karnataka counterpart H.D. Kumaraswamy for release of water.
According to a statement from the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office, the diplomatic, friendly and cordial relationship adopted by KCR with the Karnataka government to overcome the drinking water problem of people of Mahabubnagar district has yielded fruitful results.
On KCR’s request, the Karnataka Chief Minister after discussions with the officials decided to release the water.
Kumaraswamy personally telephoned KCR and informed about this. KCR described the move as happy and good news to the Mahabubnagar people. On behalf of the people of the district, he conveyed his thanks to Kumaraswamy.
Both the Chief Ministers have expressed their desire that the cordial and friendly relationship between the two states should continue forever, said the statement.
Water supply to Jurala will commence from Friday evening, it added.
Congress vows to make ‘CM at Secretariat’ mandatory, if comes back to power
Hyderabad: If voted to power, Congress party wants to make it a mandatory that chief minister should function from Secretariat and maintain attendance for a certain number of days in a month to meet public. Congress party has demanded that Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao should start functioning from Secretariat.
“We’re proposing amendments to relevant laws to make it mandatory for chief minister to function from Secretariat and should attend the CMO for a certain number of days in a month. If Congress returns to the power at the Centre, then it’ll make a law for all the chief ministers in the country to compulsory function from Secretariat only. Telangana CM is acting more like a TRS chief and politician rather than chief minister. KCR never bothered to be a representative of four crore Telanganites. Ever since Telangana became a reality in June 2014, KCR has been busy with election strategies, Operation Akarsh and weakening the opposition. For this, KCR has violated all the laws and neglected welfare of the people and economy development,” said Gudur Narayanaa Reddy, TPCC Treasurer.
Accroding to the new Panchayatiraj Act, which has been modified by the TRS government, any ZP chairman, MPP president and vice-president can be disqualified if they don’t attend the office continuously for 15 days. Our chief minister KCR violated this law by over 50 times and he’s now qualified for disqualification. KCR is operating from Pragati Bhavan and spends his rest of the time at his farm house. Common public don’t have access to the chief minister,” he said.
National leaders inviting Chandrababu but not KCR
AP CM Chandrababu Naidu is now invited by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to address election meetings. Naidu is planning to campaign for Mamata’s Trinamool Congress Party for over two days soon. He has already campaigned for Deve Gowda’s Janata Dal Secular in Karnataka. Naidu played a key role in campaigning in Telangana as well.
No national leader has so far invited TRS leader and CM K Chandrasekhar Rao till now. A few days ago, TRS leaders have announced that KCR will once again campaign for his Federal Front to bring together non-Congress and non-BJP parties at the national level. He once met Mamata Banerjee in the past but later the Trinamool leader is not trusting KCR because of his secret deal with PM Modi and Amit Shah. As the counting day is drawing nearer, the speculation has begun on the role to be played by Chandrababu and KCR. Analysts say Naidu has gained a big advantage by becoming a focal point for anti-Modi parties with his all-out war on EVMs. His ‘Save Democracy’ campaign has also put Naidu in the spotlight as far as the anti-BJP parties are concerned. Some national leaders like Deve Gowda are talking about greater role for Naidu in Delhi while KCR is totally relying on support from Jaganmohan Reddy. Analysts say that Jagan will give greater weightage to BJP since he needs support in his CBI assets cases.
TRS celebrates 18th foundation day on subdued note
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Saturday celebrated its 18th foundation day on a subdued note in view of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.
TRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao led the celebrations by hoisting party flag at the Telangana Bhavan, party headquarters here. Ministers, legislators and other senior party leaders participated in celebrations across the state.
Rama Rao had appealed party functionaries to organise celebrations in a simple manner in view of the EC code of conduct. There was no fanfare and celebrations were confined to hoisting party flag at the party offices.
Speaking at the TRS headquarters, Rama Rao exuded confidence that the TRS would win all 16 Lok Sabha seats. The party had left Hyderabad for its ally, the All India Majlis-e-Itthedaul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
KTR, as the TRS leader is popularly known, urged leaders to ensure the party’s victory in the ongoing local body elections. KTR, son of Telangana Chief Minister and TRS president K. Chandrashekhar Rao, claimed that in the last 18 years the TRS had become unassailable political force.
He recalled on this day in 2001, KCR had resigned as the Deputy Speaker and quit the Assembly and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to float the TRS with the goal to achieve statehood for Telangana.
“He had told people if he betrayed them by giving up the movement, they could stone him to death. That was his conviction and commitment to the cause,” the TRS leader said.
KTR said the party had seen many ups and downs, but under KCR’s leadership and hard work of 13 years it succeeded in achieving Telangana state.
After achieving the goal of Telangana state, the party embarked on a mission to turn it into a golden state with the twin strategy of welfare and development, he said.
In the recent elections, the people once again gave a massive mandate to the TRS as they believe this party alone could take Telangana ahead on the path of progress, he added.
NHRC notice to Telangana over student suicides
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued notice to Telangana government, seeking a detailed report on the goof-ups by the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) resulting in failure of about three lakh students and suicide by 18.
Taking suo moto cognizance of a media report that 18 students have committed suicide during last one week over failure in the Intermediate examinations, the Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks, including action taken against the guilty and relief, if any, provided to the aggrieved families.
The panel took note of media reports that large-scale discrepancies by BIE has have triggered furore in the State. About three lakh students reportedly failed in the exams and the students and parents were staging protests.
“It has been observed that the contents of the news reports, if true, raise the issues of serious lapses on the part of the authorities amounting to violation of human rights. A thorough probe into the matter is required not only to punish the guilty but to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” the Commission said.
According to the media reports, hundreds of students have failed to get even pass marks. The State Education Ministry, the Board and the government initially dismissed the allegations, but later gave in to the growing protests. The aggrieved students have also approached the High Court.
The role of a private company, which was given the contract for processing the results, has come under the scanner. This work was being done earlier by the Centre for Good Governance which is a government agency. The Hyderabad-based private firm Globarena Technologies, who executed the work, was reportedly not competent enough to take up the job.
The firm has, however, contended that it is capable of handling the task and that it had executed the contract, systematically.
“As mentioned in the news report, around 10 lakh students took the class 12 exam in February 2018 and nearly 3.5 have failed, making it a gigantic task for the board to conduct supplementary exams for such a large number of students. The time is also running out for the students who have to appear in the entrance exams like in EAMCET, NEET and JEE etc,” the Commission noted.
Telangana orders re-verification for failed students
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday ordered free re-verification of answer sheets of all the intermediate students who failed in the examinations.
The decision came amid a row over the goof-ups by the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TIBE) in declaring results, which allegedly led to suicide of 10 students since last week and triggered protests by parents and opposition parties.
With two more students ending their lives and protests continuing on Wednesday, the Chief Minister reviewed the situation with senior officials.
In case of students who passed but prefer re-verification and re-counting, it would be done as per the prevailing norms and regulations, the Chief Minister said.
KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, asked officials to expedite the re-verification and re-counting process and complete that as early as possible. It should be followed by advanced supplementary examinations to prevent loss of the academic year, he added.
Education Secretary B. Janardhan Reddy has been entrusted with the responsibility of competing the process. The Chief Minister also instructed officials to evolve a strategy for smooth conduct of examinations and evaluation.
Expressing shock over suicides of ‘few’ students who failed in the intermediate examination, he said it was ‘most unfortunate’. He appealed students not to resort to suicide as failing in intermediate examinations did not mean end of life.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s office, of the 9.74 lakh students who appeared for the intermediate examinations, 3.28 lakh failed. “Some students and their parents are of the opinion that during the process of addition of marks, mistakes took place resulting in less marks than expected and hence they failed,” it said.
KCR also asked officials to examine whether the responsibility of conducting examinations be entrusted to an autonomous body. “It has to be examined whether the responsibility of conducting examinations could be entrusted to an autonomous body. The best practices in other states and other countries are to be studied for implementing in our state,” he said.
“The government faces problems every time intermediate examinations and EAMCET are conducted. The government, students and their parents face trouble every time. This needs to be avoided,” KCR said.
Will teacher unions’ ire against KCR impact ZPTC, MPTC elections?
Hyderabad: At a time when Telangana is heading for ZPTC and MPTC elections, a fresh row has emerged targeting the chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, who commented that what’s need of having several unions for teachers.
Telangana chief minister’s latest remarks against teachers have triggered a fresh tussle against the KCR as teachers’ unions started protests against such remarks.
“If KCR doesn’t act immediately to ease off ire among teachers, then definitely it’ll impact the ZPTC and MPTC elections. However, this is subject to what level Congress and other opposition parties leverage on this opportunity. Let’s see how KCR will handle this sensitive situation. May be KCR comes up with an assurance on pending demands of teachers,” said a political analyst.
Teachers’ unions have been demanding for implementation of Pay Revision Commission (PRC) from July 2018 and scrapping contributory pension scheme, etc.
“At this juncture, KCR commented that teachers in Telangana are paid higher salaries when compared with other states in the country. We demand immediately withdrawal of KCR’s comments against us. The chief minister should focus on resolving our pending issues. But, the way he’s commenting will tarnish our image in the society. How can the chief minister question on having more number of unions for teachers. All these unions played a vital role during ‘Sakala Janula Samme’ for the cause of Telangana statehood. That time, TRS chief didn’t have any problem with the number of unions,” remarked D Sanjiv Rao from Telangana State United Teachers’ Federation.
KCR violates Election Code in land regularisation issue: Congress
Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has violated Election Code as he ordered for regularising land for two MLAs, who defected to TRS, alleges Congress party.
Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, won on TDP ticket from Sathupalli Assembly and later joined TRS. Telangana Congress has rapped the TRS chief for encouraging defections by luring other party MLAs with commissions and illegal favours.
A senior leader from Congress party has revealed that “KCR has ordered for regularising Rs5-crore worth 1,000 square yards land in Khammam for Rs50 lakh in the name of the Sathupally MLA. This is nothing, but violating the Election Code and it’s subject to Lok Pal Act. Congress party demands for an inquiry into it. We’ll to New Delhi to complaint to Lok Pal chairman. In another case, KCR has ordered for regularization of 10,000 square yards of land, which is worth Rs100 crore, in Khammam in the name of Puvvada Ajay, an MLA from Khammam. The land was encroached by filling a nala in 2014 year. Vanam Venkateshwar Rao, Kothagudem MLA, received favour in form of 80 acres. Paler MLA Kandala Upender Reddy also joined TRS as he was given contracts and clearance of pending bills.”
Congress has further added that TRS won 88 Assembly seats out of 119 in Telangana, but later it managed to enhance the tally to 100 by illegally attracting 12 MLAs including two independent rebel candidates and two TDP MLAs and rest from Congress.
Why KCR not campaigning for Federal Front in other states?
Telangana Ramulamma mocked and cracked jokes on the Federal Front of CM Chandrasekhar Rao. Why is KCR not moving out of Hyderabad to campaign for his front in other states? Vijayashanti, presently Congress Campaign Committee Chairperson, recalled how KCR visited Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal prior to elections. He made tall claims about how regional parties would be brought into his front.
Ramulamma’s mocking statements assumed significance as unlike KCR, there’s AP CM Chandrababu Naidu who is being invited by different parties to campaign for them in different states. Naidu already campaigned for the JDS in Karnataka. Is it a fact that nobody is inviting KCR to campaign for them? Vijayashanti is leaving no chance to embarrass the TRS leadership. Her latest comments followed political speculation that Federal Front couldn’t get expected patronage because of lack of trust in KCR. In national politics, Chandrababu exposed KCR’s secret deal with PM Modi. So, regional parties are very cautious about KCR.
