KCR sidelining Harish for KTR?

In just 12 days the ruling party of Telangana TRS could have a crown price - heir apparent when K T Rama Rao, the IT minister and son of Chief Minister KCR would be anointed as the Working president of the party. The first-ever plenary of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), after coming to power in the new state of Telangana will be held on 24 April at Lal Bahadur stadium.

The US educated KTR will get crowned during the party’s crucial meeting as the pink party’s mood is upbeat and 36,000 party workers from all the 10 districts of the state will be taking part in the grand gala event. There is also a slight apprehension about keeping K Chandrasekhar Rao’s nephew T Harish Rao, the state irrigation minister out of the seven committees formed for the smooth conduct of the plenary.

While Harish Rao wields his clout in Medak district and almost invincible in Siddipet the native place of K Chandrasekhar Rao, KTR is always seen as an outsider as his political stint was in neighboring Karimnagar and is not self made as Harish. Political analysts say that ambitious Harish could do a Nara Chandrababu Naidu act against KCR as well.

By keeping Harish away from the committees the TRS Chief has fueled the cold war between Harish and KTR. It is believed that both the leaders have been propagating their own schemes to get maximum political mileage. While KTR is hell bent on promoting his scheme, the Water Grid project, Harish Rao is busy with his Mission Kakatiya of restoring minor irrigation tanks in Telangana.

Party sources say that if KCR declares KTR as working president, a more efficient Harish might not be okay with him getting sidelined politically and publicly. In fact, the unceremonious sacking of health minister Dr Rajaiah close to Harish Rao has widened the rift within the KCR palace. Few party workers also say that party needs a working president as KCR might have to stay out of the country for a while to take care of his health issues likely after the plenary.