KCR turns cynosure of all eyes at TRS plenary

HYDERABAD: TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was cynosure of all eyes at the party plenary here at Hitex on Monday. Rank and file of the party including ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs extolled him for his ‘revolutionary reforms’ in welfare schemes and developmental activities in Telangana.

Interestingly, there was no picture of any leader other than Chandrashekar Rao and his son and party working president K.T. Rama Rao at the venue. Delegates from across the state took part in the plenary with utmost discipline. They followed the dress code of pink shirt and white trousers.

Surprisingly, the entire plenary session highlighted the Huzurabad byelection, where former TRS leader Etala Rajender is contesting as the BJP candidate.

Chandrasekhar Rao addressed the plenary as per the mood of the cadre. After being re-elected unanimously as the TRS president in the plenary, Rao spoke on various issues including Huzurabad bypoll and Dalit Bandhu scheme. Though the delegates hoped for a concluding speech from their leader, Rao asked minister V. Prashanth Reddy to address the vote of thanks.

All the speakers who addressed the plenary profusely praised their party chief. Alair MLA Gongidi Sunita continued her prolonged speech even after Chandrasekhar Rao suggested her to conclude. Minister Mahmood Ali termed Rao as ‘Mahatma’ several times in his speech. Other dignitaries also followed suit. Taking the opportunity to prove their loyalties before the party chief, a few leaders spoke in an emotional way.

Dalit Bandhu scheme was the centre attraction in the meeting as the Chief Minister highlighted its importance several times. Senior leader Kadiam Srihari, MP Nethakani Venkatesh and MLA C. Anand, all from Dalit community, explained the importance of the scheme and hurdles in implementing it.

Speaking to this newspaper, Miryalaguda agriculture market committee vice chairman L. Meghya Naik said policies of the TRS government were praiseworthy. Party should fulfil all its poll promises and there was no need to announce new schemes, he opined. Dalit Bandhu was a great scheme, but it should be extended to STs and others, he said. “If there is shortage of funds, the government should give at least '5 lakh each to poor SC/STs”, he said.

Tandra Vishala, ZPTC, Keshampet, said the TRS high command was encouraging women leadership. But women elected representatives should act independently, she said. Nandigama MPP president Priyanka said women were coming forward to participate in active politics in recent times.

Providing 50 per cent reservations to women was encouraging, she said. “We are hopeful that representation of women in all government activities will have good results”, she said.