Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, called on his Odisha and West Bengal counterparts, as part of his resolve to forge a non-Congress and non-BJP front — a federal alliance of the regional parties — in the run up to the next elections.
Fresh from a resounding victory in the Telangana Assembly polls, winning majority 88 of the 119 seats, the TRS Chief has intensified the pitch for evolving consensus on forming an alternative, which can fulfil the aspirations of all regions without allowing the national parties to decide the agenda for States.
Rao has been vocal on the possibility of a federal front, as the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA failed to fulfil the States’ aspirations.
An alternative to the national parties was the only manner in which the regional parties will have a major say, Rao averred.
It is in this background his meetings with Naveen Patnaik, Chief of Biju Janata Dal and Mamata Banerjee, Chief of Trinamool Congress, ahead of General Elections in 2019 assume political significance.
Discussing alliance
After meeting Patnaik, KCR flew to Kolkata and called on Mamata Banerjee on Monday, to discuss various political issues, as well as the possibility of formation of a Front to take on both, the BJP and the Congress.
It is to be seen how Mamata, who has expressed herself to be part of the Congress-headed Mahaghatbandhan, in which N Chandrababu-led Telugu Desam Party is also a partner, will react to the proposal for an alternative front.
New schemes needed
The Chief Ministers of both the Telugu States — Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — have been advocating different political formations, with the latter already part of the Maha Kutami
Over the past few months KCR has made it clear that the country needs new type of governance and innovative ways to address various economic issues, particularly distress in the farm sector.
Citing the case of how the direct benefit transfer scheme of Rythu Bandhu, will be a boon to farmers, advocated similar schemes at the national level that have potential to make a difference to distress in the farm sector.
He lauded the effort of the Naveen Patnaik government in addressing issues concerning the farmers and its holistic development approach.