Defeat divisive forces: KCR

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao made a fervent appeal to different sections of people, particularly the IT sector, the real estate, businessmen and those who had come from other states and settled here not to allow "divisive forces" to win the GHMC elections.

Addressing an election meeting - Pragathi Sankharavam - at LB Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday, the Chief Minister appeared to have targeted the settlers mostly because they can tilt the balance in about 25 to 30 divisions. KCR cautioned people of Hyderabad that if they "commit the mistake," of voting for "divisive forces," the brand image of Hyderabad will take a nose-dive, business will suffer, real estate would suffer and industries will not come to Hyderabad. He said divisive forces are trying to destroy Hyderabad. Though he did not mention who the divisive forces were, he obviously was targeting the BJP.

KCR seems to have made a special reference to these sectors since a substantial number of people in business, IT and real estate sectors are from other states settled here.

Taking on the BJP, KCR asked people to decide whether they want TS B-Pass or curfew pass. TS B-Pass is a mechanism to enable instant permission and registration of buildings avoiding hassles to landowners or property developers in urban areas.

Referring to the language that was being used by BJP leaders, KCR said that they were talking indiscriminately against him but he would not use harsh language against them. He asked voters not to elect the 'slaves of Delhi' and elect TRS candidates, who considered the people as their bosses. He said BJP was bringing leaders from across the country. There was a flood of leaders from Delhi, UP and Maharashtra. "I welcome UP CM Yogi Adityanath as a CM," but one should know that his state ranks at 28 among 29 states in development. Similarly, the former chief minister of Maharashtra Devendera Fadnavis also spoke about good governance and development.

Maharashtra ranks at 10th position while Telangana was at 5th rank, he added.

He listed out all the welfare schemes the government had launched since it came to power in 2014 and claimed that no other state had even thought of introducing such schemes. TRS schemes are equally applicable to all castes, regions and communities. The opposition parties were making unnecessary noise about everything, including temporary suspension of financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per flood affected family. He said the scheme would be revived from December 7. The Chief Minister said that no one asked him for such a relief, but he gave it out of humanitarian considerations. KCR said floods were not exclusive to Hyderabad. Mumbai was in floods for 15 days and Chennai for 21 days. But no state government gave financial assistance to the affected people. Still the opposition was making a lot of noise over the temporary suspension of distribution of Rs 10,000 to the affected families following the directive of the State Election Commission. He assured to make Hyderabad flood-free city and also give 24-hour water supply. The Chief Minister also came down heavily on the central government for not extending financial assistance to flood-affected Hyderabad. "I sought Rs 1,350 crore for immediate relief measures. But the Centre did not give even 13 paise. It sanctioned funds for Karnataka and other states and neglected Hyderabad. Are we not Indians? Is Telangana not a part of India?" Rao asked.