Gurukul land drive makes CM K Chandrasekhar Rao a hero

Hyderabad: A month since he took charge, it seems that Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao can do no wrong at this point of time.

Apart from his hugely popular pre-poll promises which he reiterated in the Assembly, his tough stand against TV9 for airing the derogatory “Bullet News” demeaning the Assembly (the channel apologised) and the Telugu daily Andhra Jyothi for “scurrilous” writings (Jyothi refuted it), threat to take control of the cable network on the lines of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, have created a sensation.

Mr Rao also became a hero for the massive demolition drive against illegal constructions on Gurukul Trust Lands near Hitec City in Hyderabad, his threat to take over all government lands under illegal control of bigwigs, reclaim encroached lands including that of actor Nagarjuna and others.
His political stature also shot up with the joining of 13 legislators from the Congress, the TD and the BSP.

And while there is fierce competition between the Telangana CM and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr Rao seems to be ahead of Mr Naidu despite his inexperience in administration.

“We are 100 per cent satisfied (with the government’s performance). Our one month in office has been great. We are extremely happy at the way things are moving. We will do much better in the days to come,” minister for irrigation T. Harish Rao told Deccan Chronicle.

He added, “We have provided a strong and stable administration. Law and order is good. Our focus is on implementation of electoral promises, ensuring a clean, transparent, effective, people and employee friendly government, end to political corruption and ensuring that welfare schemes reach the targeted people.”

Besides Mr Rao, his son and minister for IT and panchayat raj K.T. Rama Rao, his nephew Harish Rao and other ministers have also struck the right chords by projecting government policies and programmes.

Meanwhile Mr Rao’s daily review meetings with officials of various departments has become the talk of the Secretariat.

“He is focused, has hold over the subject, listens to officers and instructs them on what his government wants. His memory and persuasive skills are amazing. He knows facts and figures by heart,” said an IAS officer.

However, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Ponnala Lakshmaiah criticised Mr Rao’s one month rule. “There is lack of clarity on various issues. Though it’s a short period to assess the government, KCR has failed to implement his electoral promises. There is no clarity. There is confusion on waiver of loans, fee reimbursement, free education from KG to PG, number plate issue etc. The confusion will go if KCR gives clarity,” he remarked.