New state, new venue: Golconda fort for Independence Day parade

Hyderabad: Instead of the Secunderabad Parade Grounds, Independence Day celebrations might be held at the Golconda Fort this year.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has asked chief secretary Rajiv Sarma and DGP Anurag Sharma to visit the fort on Monday to explore the possibilities of conducting the ceremonial parade there.

However, a senior official told Deccan Chronicle that no such decision had been taken yet and they had only been asked to see whether another function on the same day could be held at the fort premises. In a meeting on Sunday held at the residence of TRS MP Dr K. Kesava Rao, attended by senior TRS leaders, ministers and the Chief Minister, it was decided to conduct the Independence day celebrations at the historic Golconda Fort.

This would be the first Independence Day celebrations after the new state was formed and it would be appropriate to hold the ceremony at the historic fort instead of the parade grounds, a senior leader said. During the meeting it was also decided to hold the party’s first state-level plenary session in LB Stadium in September.

It was also decided to induct as many leaders as possible into the TRS from the YSR Congress. To this effect, Mr Rao has met YSRC leaders Vijaya Reddy, Gattu Ramachandra Rao and Janak Prasad. “We have decided to work with the TRS and strengthen the hands of KCR,” Mr Gattu Ramachandra Rao said. Sunday’s meeting also decided to strengthen the TRS network in the twin cities ahead of the GHMC polls.

• Independence Day celebrations used to be held at the Secunderabad Parade Grounds every year
• This time, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao wants it to be at the Golconda Fort as it will be the first I-Day after the new state is formed, sources said
• CM has reportedly instructed officials to visit the fort to do a recce