In the eye of a storm, KT Rama Rao, T Harish Rao play to the gallery

Hyderabad: Caretaker ministers K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao were the cynosure of all eyes in the Legislative Council on Thursday in the wake of reports over a rift between the two. However, they made it a point to project a united front by bonding with each other during the two-hour session. 

They came to the Council together and left together after the session concluded.

The reports of an “unofficial ban” imposed on Mr Harish Rao in the print and electronic media owned by the TRS triggered speculation that he was being sidelined by the leadership to help Mr Rama Rao increase his hold on the party and make him the next CM after the elections.

Further, the reports from the “Harish Rao faction” in the TRS further triggered speculations over the party leadership being angry at the leader.

All the MLCs of the ruling and Opposition parties, keenly watched how Mr Rama Rao and Mr Harish Rao would interact in the House. To their surprise, the ministers took their seats besides each other and were seen interacting several times all through the two hours. Both were seen in a jovial mood.

While ruling party was upbeat and rubbished media reports as “mere speculation”, Opposition members called it “artificial” with a view to projecting a picture of unity before the polls. It would not last long with resentment brewing among Mr Harish Rao and his supporters, they predicted.