KCR’s mind games to outwit rivals on

Hyderabad/New Delhi: True to his billing that he is an expert in weaving suspense thrillers in politics, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao called on Telangana and AP Governor ESL Narasimhan on Thursday and spent some time with him amidst the buzz that he might be going in for early elections for Telangana Assembly.

Though there is no official word that he would, indications make one wonder if he is, as at Delhi, state government Advisor and former Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma called on the Chief Election Commissioner.

The reports from the nation's capital indicate that the delegation discussed the possibility of the Election Commission holding elections to Telangana Assembly early if the Assembly is dissolved before the last six-month period of the legislature.

Contents of the meeting are kept a closely guarded secret, with the delegation dubbing it as very confidential. There is also speculation that the delegation may have given the CEC details about the infamous cash-for-vote scam, but neither purpose has been confirmed.

The Special Representative of the Telangana Government in New Delhi, S Venugopala Chary, while interacting with the media denied that the State government was planning to advance the elections. 

“There is no question of advancing the polls and it is nothing but mere speculation,” he asserted. At the same time, he exuded confidence that TRS would romp home comfortably and form the government once again whenever the elections are held.

After the marathon meeting on Wednesday with his cabinet colleagues, KCR kept everyone guessing as to what was going on in his mind. After the meeting, some had felt that he had indicated early elections while others felt he was plumping for elections as per schedule next year. 

But at the same time, he cleared the air over the holding the mother of all public meetings at Kongara Kalan near Ibrahimpatnam on Hyderabad outskirts on September 2 to blow the election bugle, giving room for speculations he may be really going in for early elections.

Giving their take on the issue, KCR’s confidants say he is only preparing for a long-drawn-out campaign and that the elections would be held as per schedule. But the developments point to the contrary.

Meanwhile, Rao has started in right earnest for his September 2 public meeting. He is right now busy working on the contents of his address, to woo various sections of people. 

According to sources, he has more or less made up his mind to announce enhancement of old age pensions and increase in salaries to outsourced staff. Deputy CM Md Mohamood Ali and Home Minister N Narasimha Reddy performed Bhumi Puja at Kongara Kalan on Thursday where the party would mobilise 25 lakh people.

The government, sources said, is contemplating to hike for pension for beneficiaries from the existing Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. The party leaders said that since the Congress party has promised to double the benefits to the people, the CM wants to deal a pre-emptive blow to the Congress plans.

The TRS government is spending Rs 45,000 crore alone on various welfare activities, which is more than that spent any other government, said a TRS leader. 

Apart from the pensions, contract and outsourcing employees are also likely to get good tidings on the salary front. With the regularisation of the contract employees being stayed by courts, the government would try to compensate it by increasing salaries, the sources averred.

Also, to garner support from different castes, the government may offer land in the city and announce other benefits. Ministers have reportedly been tasked with identifying lands for different communities in the state. The government had earlier provided land to Reddys, Banjaras and a few other communities in the city. 

The CM is likely to make his intentions clear about early elections at the party state committee, parliamentary party and legislature party meetings on Friday.