Former Gujarat CM Shankersinh Vaghela meets KCR

Hyderabad: Former chief minister of Gujarat Shankersinh Vaghela, a veteran politician, met TRS supremo and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao at Pragathi Bhavan on Friday. The sudden visit of the 82-year old Vaghela, who floated  a new regional party, Praja Shakti Democratic Party, in August ahead of the Gujarat polls scheduled for December this year, assumed political significance.

The meeting came at a time when Rao is trying for a major role in national politics to take on BJP-led NDA in 2024 Lok Sabha polls and making an effort to unite 'like-minded parties' against the BJP. In the meeting which lasted for about five hours, both the leaders reportedly discussed the need for Opposition parties to come together to oust BJP from power to save the country from 'communal and divisive politics'.

A press release issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated, "Vaghela affirmed that the country needs K Chandrasekhar Rao's leadership in the current national politics to thwart the BJP’s wicked politics by playing an active role in the national political arena."

Inviting Rao into national politics, the release said, Vaghela expressed confidence that he would support from all senior politicians. Both leaders focused on “the consequences of the selfish political game pursued by the BJP  government at the Centre” on the people, it added.

He said that a nationwide opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s divisive governance and political policies emerged and it was not good for democratic supporters and progressive thinkers to remain silent, the release noted.

According to release, Vaghela said that he had held discussions with senior leaders of various parties including the Congress. He said Congress was struggling from a lack of leadership and was failing to unite the Opposition. “In this background, there is a great need for leadership like you (Chandrashekar Rao) to unite like-minded opposition parties," it said.

While thanking Vaghela for his invitation, Rao assured that he would try to a qualitative change in national politics and administration.