Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao wanted to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after the Hyderabad civic polls but was refused entry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday.
At a BJP rally at Nizamabad in poll-bound Telangana, Modi told the audience that he would be “revealing a secret” — the reason behind KCR’s changed approach to him, avoiding meetings etc for past two years time.
“After the GHMC polls (results), KCR came to meet me in Delhi. He presented me with a shawl, showered praise, said ‘India is surging ahead under my leadership’ and showed great love, affection, which was not in his character. Then he said he wants to become part of the NDA, ‘please include us’. I asked him, ‘Aage kya hein?’ (What next)?”
“In response, the Telangana CM said, he wants our help in the GHMC corporation. But I outrightly rejected the proposal saying that your ‘kaarnaamae aise hain’ (deeds are such) that Modi will not join hands with you.”
The Greater Hyderabad civic polls, held in December 2020, saw the BJP’s strength rise from four to 48 seats, an impressive electoral show in the capital region comprising three Lok Sabha and over 20 assembly seats.
In contrast, the ruling BRS could win only 55 seats, down from 99, while the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) got 44 in the 150 seated civic body. The BRS, however, took control of the GHMC and the Mayor seat later with support from the AIMIM.
Like his earlier attacks on the Telangana Chief Minister of promoting ‘parivarvad’ (dynastic rule) and ‘bhrashtachar’ (corruption), Modi told the crowds: “KCR’s son, daughter, nephew, ‘sasural’ (in-laws) … everyone in KCR family is sharing power and looting the state.”
“We cannot deceive the Hyderabad people even if they have not given us a majority. I told KCR we would sit in the opposition. He was dumbstruck,” Modi said in the public meeting.
Modi added that KCR came to meet him again to seek support in declaring his son and state IT, industries and municipal administration minister K.T. Rama as his successor.
“He indicated he was content (as CM/party chief) and wanted to handover the reins to his son K.T. Rama Rao. I reminded him that we are in a democracy and I asked him if he thinks he is some Raja or Maharaja … it is for the Telangana people to decide their ruler (government).
“That was my last meeting with KCR after which he never dared to come face to face with me,” Modi said, adding that the corrupt fear sharing stage with him.
The PM’s apparent reference could be to KCR’s last meeting with him in New Delhi in September 2021. Since then, Modi has toured Telangana several times but KCR never met him again. Telangana animal husbandry minister Srinivas Yadav usually receives and sends off the PM at the Hyderabad airport every time.
The PM’s “revelations” come at a time when the Congress is building a narrative that both BRS and BJP have struck a secret deal for the assembly and Lok Sabha polls. “BRS means BJP Rishtedar Samithi,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said in the party’s Khammam meeting recently.
Congress state chief Revanth Reddy had also alleged that KCR’s daughter K. Kavitha could be arrested anytime by the central agencies (for her alleged involvement in Delhi liquor policy scam), “in order to help KCR garner sympathy votes in the assembly polls.” “Modi tours in Telangana are intended to split the anti-incumbency vote,” Revanth said.
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Changing equations
During their first terms as prime minister and chief minister between 2014 and 2019, Modi and KCR were on friendly terms and the BRS, then Telangana Rashtra Samithi, had supported several of central initiatives including demonetisation.
The equation began to change after the 2019 Lok Sabha poll results where BJP bagged a surprising four seats in Telangana. It later won the Dubbaka bypolls in November 2020 and Huzurabad in 2021, while it attracted several leaders from the ruling side like former finance minister Eatala Rajender.
The BRS, at present, has nine Lok Sabha and seven Rajya Sabha members.
Modi’s Nizamabad rally came within two days of his Mahbubnagar meeting Sunday. Over Rs 23,500 crore worth centrally funded projects were either inaugurated or laid foundation for during these two visits.
The schedule for assembly polls to be held in two months is expected to be released in a few days.
In his Nizamabad speech, the PM appealed to Telangana voters for their ‘bharosa’ (trust) and one term to improve the state with double engine growth. “I’ll bring everything that was looted back at your feet,” Modi told the crowds.
Later, KTR responded sharply to Modi’s attack on his father and the party.
“The PM known for his ‘jumlas’ (empty promise) and false propaganda is now stooping lower and telling blatant lies for political gains. After the PM’s atrocious claims, one needs to take along a video recorder to official meetings to be on the safe side. Who will believe a PM who had lied about his educational qualifications too,” the BRS working president said in a press statement, adding that Modi further lowered the PM position stature.
“We are not bitten by a mad dog, to lose our mind and join NDA,” he said. “PM Modi claimed that CM KCR sought his permission to appoint me as CM. Why would we need your permission for any decision to be taken by our party and its leadership,” he said. “CM KCR is a fighter who would never associate with a cheat like Modi.”
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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