Will win with a big majority: Harish Rao

WARANGAL BYPOLL

Warangal: Neither the Telugu Desam nor the YSR Congress have any role to play in Telangana State politics as both are Andhra parties, the Minister for Major Irrigation T Harish Rao told The Hans India in an exclusive interview here on Thursday. He said that both TDP and YSRC are vying with each other only to gain popularity in AP by attacking KCR. The Telangana people are well aware of the fact that BJP is spineless and is toeing the line of Vijayawada-based TDP.

Hans: Since the inception of the TRS, you have seen many an election but then you were championing the cause of Telangana. Now in a changed scenario and as part of government, how do you see this by-election and people’s patronage to your party?

Harish: This in fact is the second by-election, first one being the Medak Lok Sabha which the TRS won with a huge majority, after we came to power in 2014. There is definitely a change in people’s perception. But people started to believe us especially after the TRS government managed to overcome teething problems. The way the TRS government led by K Chandrashekar Rao handled the issues such as power, farmers and employees was remarkable. The claims of the Congress, TDP and BJP that people were angry with us are not true.

Hans: The Opposition says that this by-election was uncalled for and was imposed unnecessarily on Warangal people.

Harish: In a way that may be right but on the flip side Warangal is benefitted by this bypoll as it will have one more public representative from the lower strata of the society to its credit. By drafting Kadiyam Srihari into the Council, the party had in fact created another opportunity to a SC community leader.

Hans: The Opposition also crying foul over the unceremonial ouster of T Rajaiah from the Deputy Chief Minister’s post.

Harish: Though it was an internal issue of our party, I would like to question the Opposition why they were so much interested when Rajaiah himself is happy with the party’s decision and working hard for the victory of TRS Lok Sabha candidate Pasunuri Dayakar. In fact, Rajaiah’s constituency

Station Ghanpur is expected to register highest majority for the party.

Hans: Which party you think a potential opponent for you in this election?

Harish: I don’t think any of our opponents have opportunity to compete with us. However, it could be Congress that may finish second in the race. Telugu Desam is a party run by Andhra leader and toeing its line was the BJP. The question never arises that people would support them as both the parties have been working against the interests of Telangana State.

Referring to the sanction of 1.93 lakh houses to poor in Andhra Pradesh and only 10,290 to Telangana on Wednesday, he pointed out the discriminatory approach of the NDA government-led by Narendra Modi. Besides this, the BJP which accorded national status to Polavaram project had ignored Pranahita Chevella project, he added, accusing Modi of not visiting the state not even once.

Hans: All eyes are on Warangal East and West Assembly segments as you are in-charge poll campaign for the former and K Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) for the latter. It’s also termed as a contest within the contest who will get more majority for the party in this by-election.

Harish: I disagree with it as all seven segments are in race to muster huge majority. There is a healthy competition that can spur individuals on to achieve good results invariably helping the growth of the party.

Hans: How much majority that you are expecting in this by-election? Harish: We will win with a comfortable majority.

By Adepu Mahender