On Foundation Day, KCR Announces Telangana Rashtra Samiti Eyeing National Role

KCR said that the TRS intends to play a key role in national politics but dismissed any plans of a political front.

Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao

(Photo: IANS)

Celebrating Telangana Rashtra Samiti’s (TRS) 21st foundation day on Wednesday, 27 April, party leader and chief minister of the State K Chandrashekar Rao announced that the party is ready to venture into national politics.

Speaking at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), KCR said that some legislators are of the view that the name of the regional party be changed to Bharatiya Rashtra Samiti (BRS), reported NDTV.

His decision was met with loud cheers from the over 3,000 attendees at the event.

KCR said that the party intends to play a key role in national politics but dismissed any plans of a political front which he says has not yielded much in the past.

'People Ridiculed TRS. Look Where We Are Now': KCR 

"What we need is a people's agenda and not a front where two to three chief ministers come together. People were skeptical when we spoke about Telangana 21 years ago. They ridiculed us. Look where we are now. That is the kind of process we want to unfold for the nation too,'' KCR said.

One of the 11 political resolutions being moved at the plenary on Wednesday was to oppose communal violence. The chief minister pointed out how communal politics and divisions has impacted the country’s growth.

He said, “30 lakh people work in Bengaluru in top jobs, in IT sector etc. Another 30 lakh jobs get supported because of this. But in Karnataka, they are questioning what you wear, what you eat.”

‘India Does Not Need Political Fronts, But an Alternative Agenda’

KCR said that India does not need political fronts but an alternative agenda for progress, reported ANI.

He said, "What the country needs is not political fronts but alternative agenda. We need an agenda that takes us on path of progress. New agricultural, industrial and economic policies needed. Everyone should have opportunity to work. Excellent country building must take place."

Without naming any party, the chief minister stated that some parties had earlier said that all opposition parties should unite to take down the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He said, "Earlier some parties said that we all unite and bring down BJP. That is the worst agenda and I could not come along. People have to be put to power, people have to be informed, lives of the people of the country should change and the infrastructure has to be provided."

Citing 'financial experts,' he added that if India had worked in the manner as Telangana, the result would have been different.

On 'Water Wars'

Commenting on the river dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over Kaveri, and Rajasthan and Haryana over Indus-Sutlej, he said that the 'water wars' have erupted because India is not fully utilising the water available in the country.

He said, "65,000 TMC water is available in rivers of the country. At present, country is utilizing only 35,000 TMC through projects. Water wars seen everywhere in the country. What's the reason? TN-Karnataka war for Cauvery & Rajasthan-Haryana war for Indus-Sutlej have erupted."

(With inputs from NDTV and ANI.)