Ex-PM HD Deve Gowda dials Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, lauds TRS chief’s fight against BJP

HYDERABAD: TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao's efforts to float a non-BJP and non-Congress federal front seem to have gained further traction with former prime minister HD Deve Gowda welcoming his moves.

A day after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted her plans to hold a meeting with non-BJP and non-Congress parties' leaders and CMs, KCR on Tuesday received a call from Gowda, who appreciated him for fighting against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and ‘communal politics'.

TRS sources quoting Gowda, who is president of Janata Dal (Secular), said: "Rao Saab, you are fighting very well. Everyone should fight against the communal elements to protect our country's secularism, culture and its diverse culture. We will be with you and support you. Continue your fight and our total support will be there for you."

On his part, KCR told Gowda that he would soon visit Bengaluru and meet with him personally.The TRS president has been maintaining good relations with Gowda and his son and former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy and visited Gowda's house in Bengaluru in May 2018 when the JD(S) won in the assembly elections. The Telangana CM told Gowda then that his prediction had come true and the JD(S) emerged victorious in the neighbouring state.

When KCR had announced that he would hold a convention of all regional parties in December 2020 just before the GHMC elections, he called up Kumaraswamy and invited him for the meeting. However, the KCR's plans did not move forward as the TRS fared badly in the civic body elections.

Meanwhile, the proposed meeting of CMs of various states is likely to happen only after results of the assembly elections are out on March 10. "Though Mamata Banerjee wants to convene the meeting in Delhi, KCR wants to host the meeting in Hyderabad as he wants the beginning of the downfall of the BJP to happen from Telangana soil," a TRS senior leader said.

TRS sources said there will be problems in holding the meeting immediately after the poll results as KCR will be busy with both administrative and other programmes till April as the state budget session is expected to be held from February third or fourth week for one week to 10 days. Also, KCR is keen on inauguration of the refurbished Yadadri temple by March-end, party leaders said.