TRS chief calls on Governor

Hyderabad: Accompanied by over 20 MLAs, Rao drove into Raj Bhavan at 11.30 am in six gleaming black Toyota Fortuner–500 vehicles that were placed at his disposal by the police on Saturday night. These vehicles were earlier used by former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. .

Though KCR had met the Governor many times in the past while heading the Telangana agitation, this meeting assumes importance as he is set to assume office soon and there is a need for both the new government and the Governor to work in unison. Rao first introduced the MLAs to the Governor. He informed the Governor about the resolution of the TRSLP electing him as the leader of the legislature party. Etela Rajender and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy handed over the copy of resolution to the Governor.

KCR also had a 20 minute one-on-one meeting with him. Both are said to have discussed the issues that need to be tackled by the new State. It is learnt that they have cracked jokes during their interaction According to sources, when the KCR asked Governor's cooperation in constructing a few more power plants in the new State to bail it out of power crisis, Narasimhan is learnt to have quipped saying, "Henceforth, power will be in your hands. Then, where is the question of having power problem?"

Party senior leader Harish Rao was conspicuous by his absence. The Governor inquiring about him is said to have mentioned the slogans raised by him saying “Governor Go Back,” while he was delivering his budget speech and also the incidents of throwing of paper balls etc. Responding to this, party secretary-general K Keshava Rao told Narasimhan that the TRS MLAs had shouted at him only in a fit of rage as they were raising their voice against the injustice which was being meted out to Telangana, and that they had nothing against him personally. A smiling Narasimhan told them that he too did not take it seriously and assured them that he would extend his full cooperation. He is also said to have told KCR that he was elder to him in terms of age and hence he would play the role of an elder brother in helping the State government develop the new State.

Sources said there was no mention of government formation in the collective discussion because the visit was not at the Governor’s invitation which was the standard procedure on the eve of swearing-in ceremonies of Chief Minister-designate.

Rao drove away without meeting the media persons who were waiting outside the Raj Bhavan.