“Jai Bharat, Jai Telangana”-KCR : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

“Jai Bharat, Jai Telangana”-KCR

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

            By concluding his speech with “Jai Bharat” addressing a huge gathering that assembled at Pragathi Bhavan on Sunday, the 4^th March 2018, who came there from all over the state to greet KCR for his announcement a day before, that a qualitative change in politics is the need of the hour, CM K Chandrashekhar Rao has signalled his entry in to National Politics and lead a front.  

            CM KCR during his address has expressed his utter displeasure over the Central Government for continuing to keep under its purview key subjects of importance to states. KCR sharpened his attack on the Centre and said New Delhi’s hegemony was being a hurdle to the nation’s development. “Centre needs to take care of foreign affairs, defence and maintenance of national highways. It should focus its attention on issues relating to national security. Subjects like education, health, rural development and others should be completely transferred to States. Every State should be given the freedom to formulate policies depending on its local situation and demographic needs. I will strive hard to bring a change at national level,” he said. “Why should Union government control subjects like rural roads? Why should PM involve in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which is related to development of roads in rural areas? What has Prime Minister to do with rural roads? States can handle the subject. Why should Delhi deposit the money of labourers who worked under MGNREGA in various villages across the country?” KCR questioned.

Even reservations for SCs, STs and Minorities should be given to states as they can decide the quota according the population in the respective states said CM KCR. CM said that rule of reservation is an instance where the states could not decide about the quantum of reservations. More than 85% of population in Telangana comprised of SCs, STs, BCs and minorities, but the state could not offer more than 50% reservation. He pointed out that centre is sitting on issues like river water sharing. 

A large excited crowd of supporters who arrived to Pragathi Bhavan, amidst drum beats and dance performances by cultural troupes, shouted slogans of “Desh ka Neta KCR”, marking Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s evolution into a national political leader of reckoning. Thousands of TRS party workers, KCR’s Cabinet colleagues, TRS MLAs, MLCs and MPs were present to witness the event where the CM announced that he was ready to lead a revolution in Indian politics. As the crowd chanted “Desh ka Neta KCR”, the Chief Minister announced that he was ready and geared up to take on the mantle of the leader of a new non-BJP and non-Congress political front.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao addressing the gathering stated that he would soon come up with an agenda for unification of like-minded political forces to put the nation on the path of development. The agenda would be chalked out after consultations with political parties, economists, social scientists, farmers and people from all walks of life, the Chief Minister said, “The change will start from Telangana State,” KCR said.

Revealing that efforts had already begun for unification of non-BJP and non-Congress political forces who were rallying for “qualitative change” in Indian politics, the Chief Minister, in his speech, batted for a truly cooperative federalism in the country where the State governments would be empowered to take policy decisions based on local needs, aspirations and demography.

At the outset, the Chief Minister made it clear that he was not resorting to some political gimmick and reiterated that his call for qualitative change in politics stemmed from the conviction that if the country were to be ruled by either the BJP or the Congress, there would be neither any change in the lives of the people nor would the country move forward on the development path. Pushing hard for decentralisation of authority, the Chief Minister demanded that powers on subjects like education, health, agriculture, urban development and others should be devolved to the States. The Central government should focus on diplomacy, defence, national security and national highways among other national and international issues.

Within hours of CM KCR call for a qualitative change in national politics, several political leaders from across the nation expressed their solidarity with KCR. West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee telephoned Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday afternoon.  She conveyed her complete support to CM KCR. She agreed with the opinion of KCR that there is a necessity for qualitative change in country’s politics. “Ham aap se Ek mat hai. Aap ke saath rehinge” (I agree with you. I will work with you) said CM West Bengal Ms Mamata Banerjee. Former Chief Minister Jharkhand Hemanth Soren over phone expressed his solidarity with CM KCR. He welcomed KCR decision to play key role in national politics. MPs from Maharashtra too expressed their support to KCR.

CM KCR who declared that there needs a qualitative change in national politics yesterday has been receiving support from different walks of people. From all parts of Telangana people are reaching Pragathi Bhavan in support of CM statement. Pundits from different temples, representatives of Brahmin community, mullahs and maulvis from different Masjids, representatives of Muslim organizations, Fathers from churches, Christian religious representatives, Sikh religious representatives, employees from RTC, Singareni, power, Banjaras, Tribals, BC representatives and others are reaching Pragathi Bhavan in large numbers to express solidarity with CM for his statement.

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi extended his support to CM KCR on his decision to enter national politics.