KT Rama Rao is a Telangana minister and son of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.
Hyderabad:
Telangana minister KT Rama Rao hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday – over his “I refused him entry (into the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance)” swipe at Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, or KCR – telling NDTV it was “disgraceful of the Prime Minister to stoop so low and unfortunate”.
“I have already spoken on this… it was very disgraceful of the PM to stoop so low and say these things. It was truly unfortunate… but I think I have said enough on this,” he said.
KT Rama Rao had, soon after the Prime Minister’s explosive claim, said, “We have not been bitten by a mad dog to want to join the NDA”. He also referred to parties that have left the BJP-led alliance, including the Telugu Desam Party, the Janata Dal (United), the Akali Dal and the Shiv Sena faction led by ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
READ | PM Claims KCR Wanted To Join NDA, His Son Hits Back: “We’re Not Mad To…”
The Prime Minister’s taunt and KTR’s response underline the tension in Telangana ahead of an Assembly election expected either next month or in December. The ruling BRS is in a three-way fight with the BJP and the Congress, which will likely front the INDIA opposition bloc’s challenge.
The Congress’ announcement of six guarantees last month was waved away by KTR, who chuckled, “… lost its warranty a long time back. It is 150-160 years old… what can they talk about guarantees?”
At the inauguration of a scheme to provide breakfast for school children, KTR said he expected the good work by the Telangana government over the past decade to “speak for itself”.
READ | On PM Modi’s Telangana Speech In Parliament, Rebuttal From KCR’s Son
“We have launched a slew of scheme over the last 10 years… and this is one of many. We already serve hot midday meals and this is an extension of that scheme. I believe this augurs well because children are another form of God, so helping them is serving God,” he told NDTV.
Analysts have said the PM’s claims – that KCR wanted to join hands with the BJP – may shift minority votes away from the ruling party to the Congress. KTR dismissed this possibility.
“At the end of the day I think the last 9.5 years of our government will speak for itself. It could be Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, Christians… I think performance will speak and am confident people will understand that basic issues – water problems, electricity supply – have been resolved,” he said.
The minister, who is Chief Minister Rao’s son, also stressed the Telangana government’s emphasis on ensuring development for all sections. “We have never looked at people on a sectarian basis… or who belongs to what caste or religion. I think people are smart enough to see through frauds.”
When NDTV asked Mr Rama Rao about the anti-incumbency factor – given his party has opted to field 90 per cent of its sitting MLAs, he said it was a conscious decision since KCR had made this promise.
“We have repeated 90 per cent+ of our candidates. A state election is about who will lead the state… not just about candidates… and I think people want to see KCR continue as CM.”
PM Modi has been leading the charge for a BJP scrambling for a foothold in South India ahead of next year’s general election; the party was thumped by the Congress in May’s Karnataka election, has been dumped by the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, and remains unable to crack the Kerala puzzle.
READ |“We’re Not Mad Enough To Want To Join NDA”: KCR’s Son Hits Back At PM Modi
Telangana – where the BJP won just one seat in 2018 state polls – is seen as the first step in the BJP’s “Mission South” plan – a fact underlined by the PM’s attacks on Chief Minister Rao, or KCR.