Massive show of strength as Telangana Rashtra Samithi paints town pink

Hyderabad: The Telangana Rastra Samiti has geared up for what party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao wants to be the biggest-ever public meeting in India: Sunday’s show of strength Telangana Pragathi Nivedana Sabha at Kongara Kalan on the city outskirts. The city and the outskirts have turned pink with TRS billboards, flags and posters highlighting the achievements of the four-year-old TRS government. Mr Rao had fixed targets for leaders district-wise to mobilise a total of 25 lakh people for the public meeting. Over 3 lakh people are being mobilised from the GHMC limits.

One lakh vehicles including 7,000 RTC buses and 25,000 tractors have been pressed into service to transport people to the meeting. Thousands of private buses belonging to travel agencies from the state and neighbouring states have been hired. Buses belonging to private schools and colleges in all the districts have also been engaged. At the 2,000-acre venue, 500 acres will be utilised for the public meeting and the rest is for parking and other amenities. A giant 100-ft stage has been erected which can accommodate 500 delegates.

Fifteen roads have been laid to the venue from all sides for smooth flow of traffic. Besides, 19 entry and exit points have been set up. Fifty huge LED screens have been set up around the venue to enable people to watch the proceedings. About 15,000 LED lights have been used to light the venue. While TRS billboards, flags and posters have been set up all along the 160-km ORR, which will be used by party cadre to travel to the meeting, cut-outs of Mr Rao have been put in over 100 major junctions across the city. Mr Rao is expected to arrive at the venue by 5 pm on Sunday after holding a Cabinet meeting. A helipad has been set up at the venue for his helicopter.