We want to be with people, not KCR: BJP

Hyderabad: The BJP central leadership does not appear to be in a mood to give any indication about the possibility of having an alliance with the TRS. If one goes by what BJP national vice-president Dinesh Sharma said at the state executive committee meeting, it gives an impression that the saffron party has at least for the time being turned down the overtures of TRS to get closure to BJP.

When asked if the BJP central leadership was willing to accept TRS as an ally, state and central leaders of BJP opined, “they want to get closer to people and not KCR”. The BJP would not ally with anyone unless it is sure that such an alliance would strengthen the BJP.

BJP TS president Kishan Reddy said no such proposal was there from the TRS. “Mafia rule has been the order of the day ever since KCR-led TRS government came to power. Land mafia that ruled the roost in previous Congress regime has now infiltrated into TRS. Umpteen press reports have alleged the direct role of TRS government in land, liquor and sand mafia in the state,” he said.

BJP floor leader in Assembly Dr K Lakshman lambasted the TS government for its failure to keep any of the poll promises it made. When asked why he was attacking TRS chief KCR when he was making efforts to ally with BJP, Lakshman shot back: “We told you we are trying to get close to the people and not KCR.” He said the state BJP sees TRS as the main rival in the forthcoming MLC elections to two Graduates’ constituencies in Telangana.

Another senior leader said: “You can’t bank on KCR’s words because he will attack the same leader today whom he has praised a day before”. However, political analysts say that all this posture of BJP was only for public consumption. It is being speculated that if not immediately, at least after the GHMC elections the TRS and BJP would come closer and may have some kind of understanding.

It is also being said if both parties succeed in joining hands then KCR’s daughter and Nizamabad MP K Kavitha would be inducted into the Union Cabinet. The manner in which KCR praised Modi’s initiatives like Swachch Bharat and directed officials to organise the programme on the first and third Saturdays of every month and the way he appreciated NITI Ayog recently is being seen as an indication that TRS is moving closure to BJP. Incidentally, KCR will be visiting New Delhi on Monday to attend the wedding reception of BJP president Amit Shah’s son.