Begin typing your search...
KCR softens his stand on Congress, says no third front
After meeting Stalin, Telangana CM says call for federal front is media hype
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
TRS leader and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday met ‘brother’ MK Stalin, working president of DMK in the city and clarified there was no third front and that it was only a media creation.
Emerging out of the meeting at Stalin’s residence, Rao, who also visited DMK chief M Karunanidhi in Gopalapuram earlier in the afternoon, said, “We have not proposed any third or fourth or fifth front. The so-called front has been created by the media. We never announced a third front. It will not be a mere alignment of political parties. I am very clear in my mind. It will be the alignment of people of India, masses, farming community and unemployed youth of India. It is not political at all.”
Rao, who was the first to publicly propose a strong non-BJP and non-Congress alliance of regional parties, softened his stand on the Congress after a two-hour luncheon meeting with Stalin in which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined them from Calcutta over phone.
“Across the nation, there is a debate that there is a need for a qualitative change in the governance and politics of India. The centralisation and dictatorial trends of the successive governments (Centre) in the last seven decades should go,” Rao said, apparently, suggesting that the conglomerate of regional parties would play hard ball with the Congress, while at the same fighting the BJP in 2019.
KCR, Stalin say meetings with like-minded parties to continue
KRS leader and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who termed the third front idea as a media creation on Sunday quickly added, “We are very firm that India should be a secular country and devolve more powers to the states. There is no second thought or alternative in that. Everybody should have a respectable place in the country. India is expected to behave in a more democratic manner. It is time for India to act in a truthful and federal manner.”
KCR, who met ‘brother’ MK Stalin, DMK working president, in the city, called the meeting “pleasant” and “delightful.” He said, “It is neither the beginning nor the end.”
Asked if they discussed alliance issues, Rao said, “We have discussed so many things. We have not taken any decision. We have been discussing with so many leaders. We had a telephonic talk with Mamata Banerjee also. We will be talking with other leaders too. Parties, who will join us or leave us, are a decision that will be taken in future.” The Telangana Chief Minister also admitted that he would meet and discuss the issue with his “good friend” and Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu.
Endorsing Rao’s view by gently nodding his heads in approval, Stalin, accompanied by former union minister A Raja during the joint media briefing, described the talks “healthy” and said, “We have decided to hold subsequent talks. He is in touch with other Chief Ministers. Already in Tamil Nadu, some like-minded parties have aligned with us. I will discuss with them and the high-level committee of the DMK and give an answer to him (KCR).” The two leaders said they would reveal the outcome of the discussion (happening among regional parties) after reaching consensus.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android
Next Story
