BRS Startled as PM Names KCR, Kavitha, BRS on Graft

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi probably for the first time in recent years on Tuesday took the names of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, his daughter K. Kavitha and the BRS while lashing out at Opposition parties for indulging in corruption, and created quite a stir in the party ranks here especially as the unexpected attack came months ahead of the state polls and could indicate an all-out campaign by the BJP.

Modi had never named Rao or the BRS even when he addressed public meetings at Secunderabad in April or in July last, though he had bitterly criticised the Telangana state government for not cooperating with the Centre in the implementation of welfare schemes and development programmes and for indulging in family rule.

But, on Tuesday, Modi took the name of Rao and the BRS — that too at a BJP meeting held in other state (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh). He told voters: “If you want to benefit the daughter of KCR, vote for BRS but if you want to benefit your family members, vote for BJP.”

Responding to the comment, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao said it reflected the strength of the BRS. "A Prime Minister taking the name of our CM and BRS, that too in his own party meeting held in another state, shows the powerful impact our CM and BRS has created in the national politics," Rama Rao told a regional TV channel.

A section of BRS leaders, however, stating that it showed that Modi had started taking Telangana politics and BRS top leaders seriously and its consequences would show in the run-up to the Assembly polls.
They are were worried about its impact on the Delhi liquor scam case. Kavitha has been charged and has faced ED questioning four times but there has been no movement as far as she was concerned.

With the PM referring to CM's daughter now, the BRS leaders were concerned that this case may once again be expedited and will create problems for BRS ahead of the crucial polls as the party tries to score a hat-trick.