TRS plenary-an exhibition of might while farmers die

Any political party in ruling naturally tries to use the occasion to display its might and strengthen its party and cadre base and also to attract politicians from other parties into their party along with their cadre. The first plenary of TRS is also more or less aimed at achieving the same. The party which has come to power after leading a great people’s movement over 12 years untiringly under the leadership of K Chandrashekar Rao, who led all the factions of the Telangana movement from students to journalists, lawyers, public and private sector employees, intellectuals, trade unions irrespective of political affiliations successfully achieved formation of Telangana State.

KCR who was the natural choice as Chief Minister for the newly formed state with good show at 2014 elections successfully inducted all his family members into party as well as into his cabinet and made his first show of strength as a powerful politician. T Harish Rao was given the portfolio of Irrigation and his son Taraka Ramarao Minister for IT in the cabinet now being treated as shadow of chief Minister in TRS government.

KCR’s daughter Kavitha was also placed in Delhi as a representative of Telangana government in Parliament. It's being heard of late she will be taken into Modi’s cabinet with an understanding here in Telangana with BJP. KCR who promised a Dalit chief minister into the Telangana state has now become an illusion.

The plenary meet which is being held at Lal Bahadur stadium grounds in Hyderabad will host over 30000 delegates coming from all the districts of Telangana. Over 300 crores are being spent just for the arrangements. There is no account of how much is being spent for erecting cutouts, hoardings, welcome arches with images of chief minister and his family members on this occasion. Unofficial media reports indicates that over 500 crores are being spent for this TRS extravaganza. Over two hours of sivakasi crackers firing is planned for this event. It's anybody’s guess how many crores of public money is being made into ashes.

TRS no doubt should hold a grand meeting of its first plenary but not at that expense and extravaganza. Nearly 550 farmers committed suicides after KCR has taken over as chief minister. Many villages in Telangana are facing severe drinking water problem and the state is reeling under drought situation due to high temperatures and power cut problems. Unexpected rains have spoilt crops and farmers have lost all their hopes on the crop income.

The TRS leadership should have tried to hold a humble meeting and spare the money to donate to CM’s welfare fund so that it can be utilised to rehabilitate farmers' families who lost their lives due to crop losses and also to the families who sacrifices their lives in the struggle to achieve Telangana Statehood.

PS: The opinion expressed in this article are those of the author and doesn't reflect the views of the organisation