TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, who led his party to a resounding victory in the assembly elections, sworn in as the Chief Minister of Telangana for the second consecutive time.

Governor ESL&nbsp;Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan.

Mohammed Mahmood Ali, a member of Telangana Legislative Council, also took oath as a Minister.

Ali, who was Deputy Chief Minister in the previous cabinet, is likely to retain the same post.

In the December 7 elections, the TRS won 88 seats in the 119-member assembly, trouncing the Congress-led People's Front, which ended up with a tally of 21.

A day before the swearing ceremony traffic police issued an advisory asking the public to avoid the Raj Bhavan road between 12 pm and 3 pm&nbsp;and take alternative routes to their destinations.

TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, who led his party to a resounding victory in the assembly elections, sworn in as the Chief Minister of Telangana for the second consecutive time.

TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, who led his party to a resounding victory in the assembly elections, sworn in as the Chief Minister of Telangana for the second consecutive time. Governor ESL Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan. Mohammed Mahmood Ali, a member of Telangana Legislative Council, also took oath as a Minister. Ali, who was Deputy Chief Minister in the previous cabinet, is likely to retain the same post. In the December 7 elections, the TRS won 88 seats in the 119-member assembly, trouncing the Congress-led People's Front, which ended up with a tally of 21. A day before the swearing ceremony traffic police issued an advisory asking the public to avoid the Raj Bhavan road between 12 pm and 3 pm and take alternative routes to their destinations.

K Chandrasekhar Rao takes oath as the Chief Minister of Telangana

TRS chief <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kcr-an-obscure-congress-foot-soldier-who-became-mascot-of-telangana-pride-183273">K Chandrasekhar Rao</a>, who led his party to a two-thirds majority in the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana, will be formally elected leader of the legislature party Wednesday, party sources said.

A meeting of the legislature party has been convened at 11.30 AM here Wednesday, the sources said.

Asked when Rao would be sworn in as Chief Minister, a senior TRS leader told PTI: "Tomorrow, he (Rao) will take a call on that.

It (swearing-in) will definitely happen before December 15... After the 15th it's not auspicious".

Meanwhile, Rao met the Governor E S L Narasimhan at the Raj Bhavan Tuesday to stake his claim to form the government for a second time.

Rao had dissolved the Assembly in September eight months ahead of schedule in a political gamble that paid off handsomely in the elections, with his party the TRS decimating its rivals, winning 84 of the 119 seats in the assembly.

The Congress won 18, while the Asadudding Owaisi led AIMIM, which supported TRS, bagged seven. The BJP won just one seat.

K Chandrasekhar Rao, 64, who emerged as the mascot of Telangana pride when he led the massive movement that convulsed undivided Andhra Pradesh and ended with the creation of the youngest state of the country in 2014, powered his party winning 82 seats in the 119-member assembly. Its candidates are leading in six places, sources in the state office of the state's chief electoral officer said.

Rao himself won by a margin of over 51,000 votes from his Gajwel seat, trouncing V Pratap Reddy of the Congress.

Rao's son K T Rama Rao and nephew T Harish Rao, both ministers in his caretaker government, also won by impressive margins.

The newly elected lawmakers of the TRS are meeting here at 11.30 am on Wednesday to formally elect Rao as the leader of the legislature party. A TRS leader said the date for his swearing-in will be finalised at the meeting.

The 'Praja Kutami' (People's Front), a 4-party opposition alliance led by the Congress that included Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, CPI and the newly formed Telangana Jana Samiti, cut a sorry figure together winning 21 seats.

The Congress had just 19 seats in its kitty, two less that what it won in the last polls, while the TDP could win only two against its tally of 15 seats in 2014. The two other coalition partners failed to open their account.

Telangana was the only state among the five where results of assembly polls were declared Tuesday that the Congress had cobbled together a coalition amid the talk of formation of a broad-based alliance to take on the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Buoyed by a string of electoral successes in assembly elections, the BJP ploughed a lonely furrow after the TDP walked out of the NDA a few months ago. However, the TRS juggernaut put paid to all hopes the saffron party might have had of making inroads into Rao's citadel.

The BJP, which had won five seats in the last assembly polls in 2014 held in undivided Andhra Pradesh that it contested in alliance with the TDP, had to be content with just one seat out of the 118 where its candidates tried their luck. Its state chief and sitting MLA K Laxman finished a poor third in Musheerabad.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, which Rao calls a "friendly party", has won five seats and its nominees are leading in two places.

"We are going to play a very crucial role in national politics...We will show...We will give a new definition to the national political scenario," a triumphant Rao told a press conference.

"Today's results...Telangana has shown the way to the whole nation. Today, Telangana stands (as) a non-Congress, non-BJP state," Rao, who has lobbied with leaders of other major regional parties, including TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to pitch for a federal front against the two national parties, said.

Dedicating his party's resounding victory to the people of Telangana, Rao said an action plan for development will be prepared to meet the aspirations of people.

The emphatic victory of the TRS might well act as a springboard for the leader who harbours the ambition of playing a greater role in national politics.

Though Telangana came into existence more than four years ago, TRS supremo brought alive the issue of 'Telangana pride' by repeatedly targeting his former boss and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of stalling the development of Telangana and calling him an outsider.

His appeal to regional sentiments appeared to have helped the TRS keep the Congress, which made huge gains in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, under check in Telangana as it had aligned with the TDP, a party Rao accused of acting against his state's interests.

Rao's populist schemes, including waiver of farm loans totalling over Rs 17,000 crore and implementation of 'Ryuthu Bandu', a farmers investment support scheme that gave tillers Rs 8,000 per annum per acre also seemed to have endeared him to the sizeable farming community.

Despite his aggressive posturing during the Telangana movement, Rao ensured there was no persecution of those from Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation, something that ostensibly helped him secure votes of many people from the neighbouring state.

Rao's repeated criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "thwarting" the TRS government's efforts for raising quotas for Muslims and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs and state-run educational institutions during the campaign also apparently helped the party garner support of these sections.

Asaduddin Owaisi, who of late has emerged as one of the most prominent Muslim voices, openly backed the TRS and even organised rallies in support of its candidates.

Rao's decision to dissolve the House in September, eight months before its tenure was to end, and go for an early election, is being seen as a masterstroke, as national issues might have overshadowed those of the state if simultaneous elections were held for the Lok Sabha and the state assembly.

Rao was first off the blocks when he announced the names of 105 candidates for the 119-member assembly barely a couple of hours after recommending its dissolution.

The TRS nominees hit the ground running and the gamble paid off.

Following the opposition coalition's drubbing, Chandrababu Naidu said it respects the people's verdict, but claimed the results of the assembly polls in five states showed people had become "antagonistic" to the BJP.

"People of all states are antagonistic towards the BJP. Results of these assembly elections will enable formation of a strong alternative to the BJP in the 2019 general elections," he said in a statement, and congratulated Rao on his party's victory.

The Congress cried foul, saying it suspected "manipulation" of the Electronic Voting Machines, and demanded that all votes be counted using the VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) to ascertain the exact number of votes polled by each candidate.

"The whole Telangana society has doubts about EVMs. Why the Election Commission is not counting every paper trail linked to Electronic Voting Machines by delaying result by 4-5 hours? Election Commission does not have a proper answer," Telangana Congress chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy attributed distribution of "huge amounts of money and liquor" by the TRS for its victory.

"This election was not free and fair. Distribution of money and liquor was terrible. I do not think it is a moral victory for him (Rao), it is only a technical victory," Reddy said.

He said the opposition alliance should have finalised the seat-sharing deal earlier than they actually did as that would have given it more time for campaigning.&nbsp;

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who led his party to a two-thirds majority in the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana, will be formally elected leader of the legislature party Wednesday, party sources said.

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who led his party to a two-thirds majority in the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana, will be formally elected leader of the legislature party Wednesday, party sources said. A meeting of the legislature party has been convened at 11.30 AM here Wednesday, the sources said. Asked when Rao would be sworn in as Chief Minister, a senior TRS leader told PTI: "Tomorrow, he (Rao) will take a call on that. It (swearing-in) will definitely happen before December 15... After the 15th it's not auspicious". Meanwhile, Rao met the Governor E S L Narasimhan at the Raj Bhavan Tuesday to stake his claim to form the government for a second time. Rao had dissolved the Assembly in September eight months ahead of schedule in a political gamble that paid off handsomely in the elections, with his party the TRS decimating its rivals, winning 84 of the 119 seats in the assembly. The Congress won 18, while the Asadudding Owaisi led AIMIM, which supported TRS, bagged seven. The BJP won just one seat. K Chandrasekhar Rao, 64, who emerged as the mascot of Telangana pride when he led the massive movement that convulsed undivided Andhra Pradesh and ended with the creation of the youngest state of the country in 2014, powered his party winning 82 seats in the 119-member assembly. Its candidates are leading in six places, sources in the state office of the state's chief electoral officer said. Rao himself won by a margin of over 51,000 votes from his Gajwel seat, trouncing V Pratap Reddy of the Congress. Rao's son K T Rama Rao and nephew T Harish Rao, both ministers in his caretaker government, also won by impressive margins. The newly elected lawmakers of the TRS are meeting here at 11.30 am on Wednesday to formally elect Rao as the leader of the legislature party. A TRS leader said the date for his swearing-in will be finalised at the meeting. The 'Praja Kutami' (People's Front), a 4-party opposition alliance led by the Congress that included Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, CPI and the newly formed Telangana Jana Samiti, cut a sorry figure together winning 21 seats. The Congress had just 19 seats in its kitty, two less that what it won in the last polls, while the TDP could win only two against its tally of 15 seats in 2014. The two other coalition partners failed to open their account. Telangana was the only state among the five where results of assembly polls were declared Tuesday that the Congress had cobbled together a coalition amid the talk of formation of a broad-based alliance to take on the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha polls next year. Buoyed by a string of electoral successes in assembly elections, the BJP ploughed a lonely furrow after the TDP walked out of the NDA a few months ago. However, the TRS juggernaut put paid to all hopes the saffron party might have had of making inroads into Rao's citadel. The BJP, which had won five seats in the last assembly polls in 2014 held in undivided Andhra Pradesh that it contested in alliance with the TDP, had to be content with just one seat out of the 118 where its candidates tried their luck. Its state chief and sitting MLA K Laxman finished a poor third in Musheerabad. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, which Rao calls a "friendly party", has won five seats and its nominees are leading in two places. "We are going to play a very crucial role in national politics...We will show...We will give a new definition to the national political scenario," a triumphant Rao told a press conference. "Today's results...Telangana has shown the way to the whole nation. Today, Telangana stands (as) a non-Congress, non-BJP state," Rao, who has lobbied with leaders of other major regional parties, including TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to pitch for a federal front against the two national parties, said. Dedicating his party's resounding victory to the people of Telangana, Rao said an action plan for development will be prepared to meet the aspirations of people. The emphatic victory of the TRS might well act as a springboard for the leader who harbours the ambition of playing a greater role in national politics. Though Telangana came into existence more than four years ago, TRS supremo brought alive the issue of 'Telangana pride' by repeatedly targeting his former boss and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of stalling the development of Telangana and calling him an outsider. His appeal to regional sentiments appeared to have helped the TRS keep the Congress, which made huge gains in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, under check in Telangana as it had aligned with the TDP, a party Rao accused of acting against his state's interests. Rao's populist schemes, including waiver of farm loans totalling over Rs 17,000 crore and implementation of 'Ryuthu Bandu', a farmers investment support scheme that gave tillers Rs 8,000 per annum per acre also seemed to have endeared him to the sizeable farming community. Despite his aggressive posturing during the Telangana movement, Rao ensured there was no persecution of those from Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation, something that ostensibly helped him secure votes of many people from the neighbouring state. Rao's repeated criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "thwarting" the TRS government's efforts for raising quotas for Muslims and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs and state-run educational institutions during the campaign also apparently helped the party garner support of these sections. Asaduddin Owaisi, who of late has emerged as one of the most prominent Muslim voices, openly backed the TRS and even organised rallies in support of its candidates. Rao's decision to dissolve the House in September, eight months before its tenure was to end, and go for an early election, is being seen as a masterstroke, as national issues might have overshadowed those of the state if simultaneous elections were held for the Lok Sabha and the state assembly. Rao was first off the blocks when he announced the names of 105 candidates for the 119-member assembly barely a couple of hours after recommending its dissolution. The TRS nominees hit the ground running and the gamble paid off. Following the opposition coalition's drubbing, Chandrababu Naidu said it respects the people's verdict, but claimed the results of the assembly polls in five states showed people had become "antagonistic" to the BJP. "People of all states are antagonistic towards the BJP. Results of these assembly elections will enable formation of a strong alternative to the BJP in the 2019 general elections," he said in a statement, and congratulated Rao on his party's victory. The Congress cried foul, saying it suspected "manipulation" of the Electronic Voting Machines, and demanded that all votes be counted using the VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) to ascertain the exact number of votes polled by each candidate. "The whole Telangana society has doubts about EVMs. Why the Election Commission is not counting every paper trail linked to Electronic Voting Machines by delaying result by 4-5 hours? Election Commission does not have a proper answer," Telangana Congress chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy said. CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy attributed distribution of "huge amounts of money and liquor" by the TRS for its victory. "This election was not free and fair. Distribution of money and liquor was terrible. I do not think it is a moral victory for him (Rao), it is only a technical victory," Reddy said. He said the opposition alliance should have finalised the seat-sharing deal earlier than they actually did as that would have given it more time for campaigning.

Telangana CM's swearing-in will definitely happen before December 15: TRS

The Telangana government's decision to give <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-cm-kcr-under-fire-for-snapping-at-man-querying-about-12-quota-for-muslims-180499">12 per cent quota to Muslims</a> in the state has no constitutional validity, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Tuesday, alleging it was aimed at "hijacking" the voters for electoral gains.

Some parties, despite knowing that religion-based reservation was not possible, come out with such decisions only to "hijack the voters", Naqvi, on the campaign trail said, targeting the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government.

"Everybody knows even KCR (as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-grand-alliance-accuses-kcr-of-colluding-with-bjp-to-escape-from-cbi-180664">K Chandrashekar Rao</a> is popularly known) and also the Congress party that on the basis of religion it is not possible to give any type of reservation.

The first thing is Constitution does not allow such reservation," the minority affairs minister told PTI here.

"People need to be aware about such things," he said, reacting to the TRS chief and caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao's promise in this regard.

The Telangana legislature had earlier passed a bill increasing reservation in jobs and education for backward sections of the Muslim community to 12 per cent from the earlier four per cent.

The bill is yet to get the Centre's approval.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday alleged the caretaker Telangana government was betraying the country and insulting the Constitution architect B R Ambedkar by proposing religion-based reservation with 12 per cent quota for Muslim minority while "stealing the rights of Dalits."

The Bharatiya Janata Party would never allow religion-based reservations as it is "unconstitutional," party chief Amit Shah recently said.

On demands by some in the BJP and the RSS for bringing out an ordinance for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, Naqvi said "it would have been ideal had there been an amicable settlement. Unfortunately, there is a delay...There is demand from saints and seers and it is natural."

"BJP is in favour of the construction of Ram temple," he said but refused to comment if the Centre would promulgate an Ordinance in this regard.

Naqvi, meanwhile, said in a statement that some people and parties have opened "communal auction centre of votes" where the self-styled "champions of secularism" "bid" for votes.

Some people "mercilessly and shamefully" bid for votes, sometimes in the name of religion and sometimes making people afraid of the BJP. But the nefarious design of these "vote ke saudagar" (traders of votes) have been exposed, he claimed.

He said the Modi government followed the policy of "empowerment without appeasement" and development with dignity.

It has been successful in creating an atmosphere of development with trust among all sections of society without any discrimination during the last four-and-half-years, he said.&nbsp;

The Opposition, especially, the Congress, has been suffering from "bankruptcy of facts. That is the reason the Congress leaders are making personal attacks against Prime Minister," he said.

"Sometimes Rahul Gandhi, some other party and sometimes Owaisis...They are masters of abusing and a competition is going on who is the champion of abusing. But the people of the country will teach these people a lesson," he added.&nbsp;

The Telangana government's decision to give 12 per cent quota to Muslims in the state has no constitutional validity, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Tuesday, alleging it was aimed at "hijacking" the voters for electoral gains.

The Telangana government's decision to give 12 per cent quota to Muslims in the state has no constitutional validity, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Tuesday, alleging it was aimed at "hijacking" the voters for electoral gains. Some parties, despite knowing that religion-based reservation was not possible, come out with such decisions only to "hijack the voters", Naqvi, on the campaign trail said, targeting the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government. "Everybody knows even KCR (as K Chandrashekar Rao is popularly known) and also the Congress party that on the basis of religion it is not possible to give any type of reservation. The first thing is Constitution does not allow such reservation," the minority affairs minister told PTI here. "People need to be aware about such things," he said, reacting to the TRS chief and caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao's promise in this regard. The Telangana legislature had earlier passed a bill increasing reservation in jobs and education for backward sections of the Muslim community to 12 per cent from the earlier four per cent. The bill is yet to get the Centre's approval. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday alleged the caretaker Telangana government was betraying the country and insulting the Constitution architect B R Ambedkar by proposing religion-based reservation with 12 per cent quota for Muslim minority while "stealing the rights of Dalits." The Bharatiya Janata Party would never allow religion-based reservations as it is "unconstitutional," party chief Amit Shah recently said. On demands by some in the BJP and the RSS for bringing out an ordinance for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, Naqvi said "it would have been ideal had there been an amicable settlement. Unfortunately, there is a delay...There is demand from saints and seers and it is natural." "BJP is in favour of the construction of Ram temple," he said but refused to comment if the Centre would promulgate an Ordinance in this regard. Naqvi, meanwhile, said in a statement that some people and parties have opened "communal auction centre of votes" where the self-styled "champions of secularism" "bid" for votes. Some people "mercilessly and shamefully" bid for votes, sometimes in the name of religion and sometimes making people afraid of the BJP. But the nefarious design of these "vote ke saudagar" (traders of votes) have been exposed, he claimed. He said the Modi government followed the policy of "empowerment without appeasement" and development with dignity. It has been successful in creating an atmosphere of development with trust among all sections of society without any discrimination during the last four-and-half-years, he said. The Opposition, especially, the Congress, has been suffering from "bankruptcy of facts. That is the reason the Congress leaders are making personal attacks against Prime Minister," he said. "Sometimes Rahul Gandhi, some other party and sometimes Owaisis...They are masters of abusing and a competition is going on who is the champion of abusing. But the people of the country will teach these people a lesson," he added.

TRS government's Muslim quota move aimed at 'hijacking' voters: Union Minister  Naqvi

Alleging that the TRS government in Telangana has failed to fulfill its promises, Chhattishgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Saturday reminded TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao that elections cannot be won on false assurances.

Addressing an election rally in support of BJP's Khairatabad assembly constituency candidate Chintala Ramachandra Reddy here, he said he had interacted with people in some villages and towns and found they were not provided with two Bedroom Hall Kitchen houses as promised and there were no proper arrangements to purchase the crop of farmers.

"Over 4,500 farmers have committed suicide in the state and farmers are not getting Minimum Support Price for their crops. The poor haven't got two BHK houses and there is no development of the rural and urban areas," he alleged.

There was a need to undertake developmental works, Singh said.

"I can only say to Chief Minister (Rao), who just kept on making promises... Four years have passed since he made the promises and the state has been left backwards."

Singh said the election was an opportunity to 'teach a lesson to TRS' and take the message across to him that elections cannot be won on false promises, he said.

He appealed to the people to support BJP and elect the party in Telangana.

Raman Singh claimed that the BJP would again emerge victorious in Chhattisgarh for the fourth consecutive term, where Assembly elections were held recently.

He also attacked the Congress, saying that under the leadership of party chief Rahul Gandhi, the party has lost 18 of the 19 elections held in the country, "which was the result of his election campaigns."

Singh said he got an opportunity to take a backward state like Chhattisgarh on the developmental path and maintained that people who have seen the state in the last 15 years now say that it is now on par with developed states.

He said there is a need to defeat Congress and its allies in the coming elections and also the TRS, which has allied with 'communal forces'.

He urged people to elect Reddy with a double majority as against last time's vote margin, saying that he has been doing service-oriented works in the constituency.

Alleging that the TRS government in Telangana has failed to fulfill its promises, Chhattishgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Saturday reminded TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao that elections cannot be won on false assurances.

Alleging that the TRS government in Telangana has failed to fulfill its promises, Chhattishgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Saturday reminded TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao that elections cannot be won on false assurances. Addressing an election rally in support of BJP's Khairatabad assembly constituency candidate Chintala Ramachandra Reddy here, he said he had interacted with people in some villages and towns and found they were not provided with two Bedroom Hall Kitchen houses as promised and there were no proper arrangements to purchase the crop of farmers. "Over 4,500 farmers have committed suicide in the state and farmers are not getting Minimum Support Price for their crops. The poor haven't got two BHK houses and there is no development of the rural and urban areas," he alleged. There was a need to undertake developmental works, Singh said. "I can only say to Chief Minister (Rao), who just kept on making promises... Four years have passed since he made the promises and the state has been left backwards." Singh said the election was an opportunity to 'teach a lesson to TRS' and take the message across to him that elections cannot be won on false promises, he said. He appealed to the people to support BJP and elect the party in Telangana. Raman Singh claimed that the BJP would again emerge victorious in Chhattisgarh for the fourth consecutive term, where Assembly elections were held recently. He also attacked the Congress, saying that under the leadership of party chief Rahul Gandhi, the party has lost 18 of the 19 elections held in the country, "which was the result of his election campaigns." Singh said he got an opportunity to take a backward state like Chhattisgarh on the developmental path and maintained that people who have seen the state in the last 15 years now say that it is now on par with developed states. He said there is a need to defeat Congress and its allies in the coming elections and also the TRS, which has allied with 'communal forces'. He urged people to elect Reddy with a double majority as against last time's vote margin, saying that he has been doing service-oriented works in the constituency.

Telangana polls: Elections cannot be won on false promises; Raman Singh to Chandrasekhar Rao

Accusing the NDA government of harassing political rivals through agencies like the CBI and the Income Tax department, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he joined hands with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to work in national interest.

Speaking during a roadshow in the city, Naidu criticised the NDA government for demonetisation, "faulty implementation" of GST and price rise and alleged that there was a feeling of insecurity.

"Today, the government led by Narendra Modiji in the country is indulging in attacking political rivals. They are harassing rivals as per will.

"If anyone questions, (they) send Enforcement Directorate, CBI, Income Tax. Attacks on media. Attacks on political leaders. By carrying out attacks on business organisations, creating fear, (they) wish to see that nobody speaks," the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said.

Therefore, he said, he spoke to all political parties in the country, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in spite of differences between the TDP and the Congress for over 30 years, to work together in national interest.

"The country should be protected. Democracy should be safeguarded. Then only we will have future. If you don't have the freedom to speak, I am asking, what is the value of democracy," he said.

Naidu, who was speaking in Rajendranagar assembly segment here as part of his roadshow in the city in support of TDP candidates, accused the NDA government at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana of letting down people.

"One thing is common between big Modi and small Modi. That is magic trick with words. He (Modi) speaks well. Our KCR also speaks very well," he said.

Rao kept mum on NDA government over "attacks" on minorities, SCs and STs in the country, Naidu alleged.

He said that the international airport, Cyberabad (the IT hub in Hyderabad), Outer Ring Road, Krishna river water and other major development projects in Hyderabad became a reality at his initiative.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister claimed that the TRS government did not implement its election promises, including double bedroom houses for poor.

Naidu's Telugu Desam Party is part of the 'People's Front' also comprising Congress, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS).

Asserting that a Congress nominee would be the chief minister if the Front wins the December seven elections, he said the TDP would fully cooperate in the endeavour.

Telangana Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on December 7 and the results would be declared on December 11.&nbsp;

Accusing the NDA government of harassing political rivals through agencies like the CBI and the Income Tax department, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he joined hands with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to work in national interest.

Accusing the NDA government of harassing political rivals through agencies like the CBI and the Income Tax department, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he joined hands with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to work in national interest. Speaking during a roadshow in the city, Naidu criticised the NDA government for demonetisation, "faulty implementation" of GST and price rise and alleged that there was a feeling of insecurity. "Today, the government led by Narendra Modiji in the country is indulging in attacking political rivals. They are harassing rivals as per will. "If anyone questions, (they) send Enforcement Directorate, CBI, Income Tax. Attacks on media. Attacks on political leaders. By carrying out attacks on business organisations, creating fear, (they) wish to see that nobody speaks," the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said. Therefore, he said, he spoke to all political parties in the country, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in spite of differences between the TDP and the Congress for over 30 years, to work together in national interest. "The country should be protected. Democracy should be safeguarded. Then only we will have future. If you don't have the freedom to speak, I am asking, what is the value of democracy," he said. Naidu, who was speaking in Rajendranagar assembly segment here as part of his roadshow in the city in support of TDP candidates, accused the NDA government at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana of letting down people. "One thing is common between big Modi and small Modi. That is magic trick with words. He (Modi) speaks well. Our KCR also speaks very well," he said. Rao kept mum on NDA government over "attacks" on minorities, SCs and STs in the country, Naidu alleged. He said that the international airport, Cyberabad (the IT hub in Hyderabad), Outer Ring Road, Krishna river water and other major development projects in Hyderabad became a reality at his initiative. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister claimed that the TRS government did not implement its election promises, including double bedroom houses for poor. Naidu's Telugu Desam Party is part of the 'People's Front' also comprising Congress, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). Asserting that a Congress nominee would be the chief minister if the Front wins the December seven elections, he said the TDP would fully cooperate in the endeavour. Telangana Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on December 7 and the results would be declared on December 11.

TDP chief accuses NDA government of using CBI, IT to harass rivals, create fear

Justifying the move to join hands with the Congress, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu Thursday said they had no ideological differences with the Rahul Gandhi-led party.

Naidu, who shared the dais with Gandhi in a couple of meetings Wednesday as part of a poll campaign for People's Front candidates in the state, said there was a democratic compulsion for non-BJP parties to come on a single platform.

"Politically, we (TDP and Congress) are different. The Telugu Desam Party, from the beginning has been fighting against the Congress and that is a reality. Ideologically we do not have any differences. Ideologically, we have differences with the BJP," he told reporters in Hyderabad.

"But today there is a democratic compulsion. That's why there is a necessity to fight against the BJP to save the Constitution and also save institutions," he said when asked about the decades-old differences with Congress.

The Congress had roped in the TDP, CPI and M Kodandaram-led Telangana Jana Samithi to form the People's Front to take on the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti in the December 7 Assembly polls.

He said the BJP had no chance of winning any of the five states which were under various stages of the election process.

According to him, the BJP could manage to win only four or five Lok Sabha bypolls in the last 20-odd ones.

"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi disappointed the nation. People trusted him so much and they also had so much faith in him. But he disappointed the nation. Everybody is living under pressure and tension. It is very bad for the nation that they are misusing institutions like CBI, ED and Income Tax," he claimed.

On the proposed meeting of non-BJP parties on December 10, Naidu said there would not be any formal invitation to any party.

On being asked who would lead the anti-BJP coalition, he said, "Who is Narendra Modi? Till 2014 he was just a chief minister. He was able to lead (his party to a win). Now there are efficient people and able administrators. They will lead. We will bring a consensus on that. I am not in the race for prime ministership... I've told many times. I am not expecting any position or any incentive out of this initiative."

He said the People's Front was going to win and form government in Telangana.

Justifying the move to join hands with the Congress, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu Thursday said they had no ideological differences with the Rahul Gandhi-led party.

Justifying the move to join hands with the Congress, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu Thursday said they had no ideological differences with the Rahul Gandhi-led party. Naidu, who shared the dais with Gandhi in a couple of meetings Wednesday as part of a poll campaign for People's Front candidates in the state, said there was a democratic compulsion for non-BJP parties to come on a single platform. "Politically, we (TDP and Congress) are different. The Telugu Desam Party, from the beginning has been fighting against the Congress and that is a reality. Ideologically we do not have any differences. Ideologically, we have differences with the BJP," he told reporters in Hyderabad. "But today there is a democratic compulsion. That's why there is a necessity to fight against the BJP to save the Constitution and also save institutions," he said when asked about the decades-old differences with Congress. The Congress had roped in the TDP, CPI and M Kodandaram-led Telangana Jana Samithi to form the People's Front to take on the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti in the December 7 Assembly polls. He said the BJP had no chance of winning any of the five states which were under various stages of the election process. According to him, the BJP could manage to win only four or five Lok Sabha bypolls in the last 20-odd ones. "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi disappointed the nation. People trusted him so much and they also had so much faith in him. But he disappointed the nation. Everybody is living under pressure and tension. It is very bad for the nation that they are misusing institutions like CBI, ED and Income Tax," he claimed. On the proposed meeting of non-BJP parties on December 10, Naidu said there would not be any formal invitation to any party. On being asked who would lead the anti-BJP coalition, he said, "Who is Narendra Modi? Till 2014 he was just a chief minister. He was able to lead (his party to a win). Now there are efficient people and able administrators. They will lead. We will bring a consensus on that. I am not in the race for prime ministership... I've told many times. I am not expecting any position or any incentive out of this initiative." He said the People's Front was going to win and form government in Telangana.

No ideological differences with Congress: Chandrababu Naidu

Call it hubris or overconfidence, Telangana caretaker chief minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao pulled no punches when he dissolved the state Legislative Assembly on September 6 and set the stage for polls in the state carved out of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh on June 2, 2014.&nbsp;

On the day he dissolved the assembly, KCR, as he is fondly called, declared 105 candidates in the same breath, taking the Opposition leaders by surprise.&nbsp;

From the time KCR dissolved the assembly to now, it appears that the wheel of fortune has turned. KCR's display of chest-thumping triumphalism of winning 100-plus seats in a 119-member House has been replaced by rousing Telangana pride and invoking celestial blessings.

Two months ago political observers were declaring KCR’s return to power a foregone conclusion, but now with coming together of Opposition parties — Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Telangana Jana Samithi and the Communist Party of India — to form Mahakutumi (grand alliance), looks like this election is after all not a cakewalk for the ruling TRS.&nbsp;

KCR expected the Election Commission to hold the polls in a month after he dissolved the assembly but the three-month time between the dissolution of the assembly and the polls, have helped the Opposition to gets its act together and put up a united face against the ruling party. &nbsp;

TRS supremo could not offer a reasonable explanation why he dissolved the assembly. KCR sounded the poll bugle on a strong wicket but his confidence has waned and his nervousness has come to the fore of late.&nbsp;

In his first phase of campaigning, KCR tried to ambush the Mahakutami headed by the Congress party by showing the TDP in a bad light by saying things like TDP was the main obstacle in Telangana State formation and is a bad omen to the Telangana people and tried to instil Telangana sentiment among the people.&nbsp;

KCR's attempt gaslight the public by portraying TDP as bad omen did not work.&nbsp;

While KCR’s braggadocio of winning 100 or more in the Assembly’s 119 seats continues, but his impressive oratory in Telugu and Urdu fails to hide the nervous gloom.

A few days back, the remarks made by the TRS chief and his son KT Rama Rao did nothing to repair the damage and created some sort of confusion among the party cadres. KCR said, “If TRS loses the battle, there will be no loss to me. I will do nothing but take rest at my farmhouse only.”&nbsp;

“I will leave the country if we lose these polls,'' said his son KTR, who is a minister in the KCR cabinet. &nbsp;

At the recently held Medchal public rally attended by allies of Mahakutami, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi Sonia lambasted the TRS government.&nbsp;

Sonia, who was hailed as “Mother of Telangana”, said, "TRS government, after coming to the power, squarely failed to meet the primary demands of statehood movement such as irrigation water, funds and recruitments." Sonia cornered KCR calling his government ''family affair'' while the Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala went a step ahead calling the ruling party 'TRS-KCR private limited.'&nbsp;

The visit by Sonia Gandhi to the state has definitely breathed new life into the four-party grand alliance. Now, will that translate into votes? We will have the answer on December 11 when the counting will take place. &nbsp;

(This is the first part of the three-part analysis on Telangana election. In the next part, which will be published on December 4, we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Mahakutami and TRS. ) 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Call it hubris or overconfidence, Telangana caretaker chief minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao pulled no punches when he dissolved the state Legislative Assembly on September 6 and set the stage for polls in the state carved out of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh on June 2, 2014.

Call it hubris or overconfidence, Telangana caretaker chief minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao pulled no punches when he dissolved the state Legislative Assembly on September 6 and set the stage for polls in the state carved out of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh on June 2, 2014. On the day he dissolved the assembly, KCR, as he is fondly called, declared 105 candidates in the same breath, taking the Opposition leaders by surprise. From the time KCR dissolved the assembly to now, it appears that the wheel of fortune has turned. KCR's display of chest-thumping triumphalism of winning 100-plus seats in a 119-member House has been replaced by rousing Telangana pride and invoking celestial blessings. Two months ago political observers were declaring KCR’s return to power a foregone conclusion, but now with coming together of Opposition parties — Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Telangana Jana Samithi and the Communist Party of India — to form Mahakutumi (grand alliance), looks like this election is after all not a cakewalk for the ruling TRS. KCR expected the Election Commission to hold the polls in a month after he dissolved the assembly but the three-month time between the dissolution of the assembly and the polls, have helped the Opposition to gets its act together and put up a united face against the ruling party. TRS supremo could not offer a reasonable explanation why he dissolved the assembly. KCR sounded the poll bugle on a strong wicket but his confidence has waned and his nervousness has come to the fore of late. In his first phase of campaigning, KCR tried to ambush the Mahakutami headed by the Congress party by showing the TDP in a bad light by saying things like TDP was the main obstacle in Telangana State formation and is a bad omen to the Telangana people and tried to instil Telangana sentiment among the people. KCR's attempt gaslight the public by portraying TDP as bad omen did not work. While KCR’s braggadocio of winning 100 or more in the Assembly’s 119 seats continues, but his impressive oratory in Telugu and Urdu fails to hide the nervous gloom. A few days back, the remarks made by the TRS chief and his son KT Rama Rao did nothing to repair the damage and created some sort of confusion among the party cadres. KCR said, “If TRS loses the battle, there will be no loss to me. I will do nothing but take rest at my farmhouse only.” “I will leave the country if we lose these polls,'' said his son KTR, who is a minister in the KCR cabinet. At the recently held Medchal public rally attended by allies of Mahakutami, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi Sonia lambasted the TRS government. Sonia, who was hailed as “Mother of Telangana”, said, "TRS government, after coming to the power, squarely failed to meet the primary demands of statehood movement such as irrigation water, funds and recruitments." Sonia cornered KCR calling his government ''family affair'' while the Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala went a step ahead calling the ruling party 'TRS-KCR private limited.' The visit by Sonia Gandhi to the state has definitely breathed new life into the four-party grand alliance. Now, will that translate into votes? We will have the answer on December 11 when the counting will take place. (This is the first part of the three-part analysis on Telangana election. In the next part, which will be published on December 4, we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Mahakutami and TRS. ) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

From strong to sticky wicket: Why retaining power in Telangana won't be a cakewalk for KCR

When Telangana Chief Minister KC Rao dissolved the state assembly in September this year, the move was not just indicative of reaping political benefits by de-linking the state elections from next year’s Lok Sabha polls. The creator of free Telangana seemed more than certain of getting a second term.

Undoubtedly, the BJP is desperately trying to win the states which are currently not under its rule, a strategy that will help&nbsp;its cause for the next year’s general elections. Not only will it seek to retain Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan during this year’s Assembly polls, but also try to bag Congress-led Mizoram and overturn Rao’s Telangana Rashtra Samiti regime.

But dethroning Rao, who has had his hands gripped on the pulse of his people, can be quite challenging for the saffron party as well as for the Congress, especially when Rao’s report card in the last four years has been impressive.

Chandrashekar Rao earned a Masters degree in English Literature from Osmania University in Hyderabad and started his political journey with the Congress party. He later joined Telugu Desam Party in the year 1983.

Rao went on to become the Union minister for Labour and Employment in the UPA cabinet led by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. He held various portfolios in Andhra Pradesh cabinet and served as the deputy speaker of the state assembly in the year 2000-2001.

After nearly a couple of decades in politics, Rao decided to take a firm stand for the cause of the people of Telangana. He instituted the Telangana Rashtra Samiti in the year 2001 and managed to realise his dream of achieving statehood for Telangana after fourteen years in 2014.

In its first four years, as the chief minister of India’s youngest state, KC Rao scripted laudable success stories, steering the state on the path of development and innovation. Telangana is one of the top IT-exporting states and has a number of hydroelectric and solar power plants developing to generate additional power capacity in the state. The chief minister, while taking over the Telangana cabinet four years back, had hoped to turn the state from a power-deficit to a power surplus state.

In his longest-ever Independence Day speech, CM Rao this year reflected on TRS’ performance and his initiatives as the leader of the newly-formed state. He emphasised the wide spectrum of social welfare schemes undertaken by his cabinet that touched the lives of an estimated three crore people.

“Telangana is the only state in the country to implement over 40 types of welfare schemes at the expense of over Rs 40,000 crore per year,” Rao mentioned during his Independence Day address. &nbsp;

Some of the key initiatives of the Rao government would include enhancing the income limit to identify lower income groups and include more and more people in the state-led welfare scheme. Salaries were revised; pension schemes were revisited and given an overhaul to provide more benefits to senior citizens, widows, physically challenged, among others.

&nbsp;In one of his recent rallies, CM Rao promised a further increase in the pension of Rs 1,000 given to various sections to Rs 2,016.

KCR’s vision to make Telangana a role model for other states and turn it into one of the greatest economic engines of the country has been unwavering. His command on the state and native wisdom makes him a leader hard to defeat. His leadership skills have exhibited a fine balance between giving impetus to innovation and development at the same time alleviating those at the lower rungs of his land.

To overthrow Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao’s leadership in the upcoming assembly polls, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party will have to address and materialise the many aspirations and desires of the people of Telangana. &nbsp;

BJP-led Central government has long been accused of not fulfilling Telangana's demands. State municipal administration minister KT Rao recently alleged that the state has been treated with scant respect. BJP has a mammoth task of appeasing the people of Telangana, winning their trust and assuring that it can, and it will work for its welfare.&nbsp;

Congress, almost convinced of its defeat as an independent electoral contender, has joined the Andhra CM in his 'grand alliance' -- a political arrangement that may look formidable but could crumble with tiniest of internal dissent.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
 
&nbsp;

When Telangana Chief Minister KC Rao dissolved the state assembly in September this year, the move was not just indicative of reaping political benefits by de-linking the state elections from next year’s Lok Sabha polls.

When Telangana Chief Minister KC Rao dissolved the state assembly in September this year, the move was not just indicative of reaping political benefits by de-linking the state elections from next year’s Lok Sabha polls. The creator of free Telangana seemed more than certain of getting a second term. Undoubtedly, the BJP is desperately trying to win the states which are currently not under its rule, a strategy that will help its cause for the next year’s general elections. Not only will it seek to retain Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan during this year’s Assembly polls, but also try to bag Congress-led Mizoram and overturn Rao’s Telangana Rashtra Samiti regime. But dethroning Rao, who has had his hands gripped on the pulse of his people, can be quite challenging for the saffron party as well as for the Congress, especially when Rao’s report card in the last four years has been impressive. Chandrashekar Rao earned a Masters degree in English Literature from Osmania University in Hyderabad and started his political journey with the Congress party. He later joined Telugu Desam Party in the year 1983. Rao went on to become the Union minister for Labour and Employment in the UPA cabinet led by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. He held various portfolios in Andhra Pradesh cabinet and served as the deputy speaker of the state assembly in the year 2000-2001. After nearly a couple of decades in politics, Rao decided to take a firm stand for the cause of the people of Telangana. He instituted the Telangana Rashtra Samiti in the year 2001 and managed to realise his dream of achieving statehood for Telangana after fourteen years in 2014. In its first four years, as the chief minister of India’s youngest state, KC Rao scripted laudable success stories, steering the state on the path of development and innovation. Telangana is one of the top IT-exporting states and has a number of hydroelectric and solar power plants developing to generate additional power capacity in the state. The chief minister, while taking over the Telangana cabinet four years back, had hoped to turn the state from a power-deficit to a power surplus state. In his longest-ever Independence Day speech, CM Rao this year reflected on TRS’ performance and his initiatives as the leader of the newly-formed state. He emphasised the wide spectrum of social welfare schemes undertaken by his cabinet that touched the lives of an estimated three crore people. “Telangana is the only state in the country to implement over 40 types of welfare schemes at the expense of over Rs 40,000 crore per year,” Rao mentioned during his Independence Day address. Some of the key initiatives of the Rao government would include enhancing the income limit to identify lower income groups and include more and more people in the state-led welfare scheme. Salaries were revised; pension schemes were revisited and given an overhaul to provide more benefits to senior citizens, widows, physically challenged, among others. In one of his recent rallies, CM Rao promised a further increase in the pension of Rs 1,000 given to various sections to Rs 2,016. KCR’s vision to make Telangana a role model for other states and turn it into one of the greatest economic engines of the country has been unwavering. His command on the state and native wisdom makes him a leader hard to defeat. His leadership skills have exhibited a fine balance between giving impetus to innovation and development at the same time alleviating those at the lower rungs of his land. To overthrow Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao’s leadership in the upcoming assembly polls, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party will have to address and materialise the many aspirations and desires of the people of Telangana. BJP-led Central government has long been accused of not fulfilling Telangana's demands. State municipal administration minister KT Rao recently alleged that the state has been treated with scant respect. BJP has a mammoth task of appeasing the people of Telangana, winning their trust and assuring that it can, and it will work for its welfare. Congress, almost convinced of its defeat as an independent electoral contender, has joined the Andhra CM in his 'grand alliance' -- a political arrangement that may look formidable but could crumble with tiniest of internal dissent. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Telangana Assembly elections 2018: Why it's difficult to overthrow K C Rao

As many as 3,584 nominations were filed by political parties for Telangana Assembly elections, slated to be held on December 7, a release from the office of Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said on Monday.

Telangana caretaker ministers K T Rama Rao and Jagadish Reddy and state Congress Working President Revanth Reddy were among the prominent leaders who filed their nominations Monday, the last day for the process.

PCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy's wife Padamavathi also filed her nomination.

Rama Rao, the son of caretaker Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, filed his nomination from Sirsilla constituency in Rajanna Sircilla District.

The Congress fielded K K Mahender Reddy against Rama Rao.

Revanth Reddy filed his papers from Kodangal in Vikarabad district.

The TRS is going alone in the elections, which were advanced after the government chose to dissolve the Assembly ahead of its term. While the Congress has formed a "grand alliance", the BJP is also contesting the polls alone.

The CEO said they accepted all the nominations that were submitted till 3pm. Officials are expected to make the announcement on the total number nominations later.

Scrutiny of papers is fixed for Tuesday and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is November 22. The counting of votes would be held on December 11.

As many as 3,584 nominations were filed by political parties for Telangana Assembly elections, slated to be held on December 7, a release from the office of Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said on Monday.

As many as 3,584 nominations were filed by political parties for Telangana Assembly elections, slated to be held on December 7, a release from the office of Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said on Monday. Telangana caretaker ministers K T Rama Rao and Jagadish Reddy and state Congress Working President Revanth Reddy were among the prominent leaders who filed their nominations Monday, the last day for the process. PCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy's wife Padamavathi also filed her nomination. Rama Rao, the son of caretaker Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, filed his nomination from Sirsilla constituency in Rajanna Sircilla District. The Congress fielded K K Mahender Reddy against Rama Rao. Revanth Reddy filed his papers from Kodangal in Vikarabad district. The TRS is going alone in the elections, which were advanced after the government chose to dissolve the Assembly ahead of its term. While the Congress has formed a "grand alliance", the BJP is also contesting the polls alone. The CEO said they accepted all the nominations that were submitted till 3pm. Officials are expected to make the announcement on the total number nominations later. Scrutiny of papers is fixed for Tuesday and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is November 22. The counting of votes would be held on December 11.

Over 3500 nominations filed for Telangana Assembly elections

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