BJP, TDP leaders join TRS; KTR says Mayor will be theirs

Hyderabad: IT & Panchayat Raj Minister K T Rama Rao on Saturday lashed out at the Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) for making the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Mayor’s post dirty by failing to develop the twin cities for the last 60 years.

Rama Rao was welcoming former BJP MLA Prem Singh Rathod and TDP senior leader Bandi Ramesh, along with their cadre and followers, into the TRS fold by offering traditional pink shawls. Ministers Naini Narsimha Reddy and G Jagadish Reddy were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Rama Rao accused the three parties of miserably failing to develop the city. He exhorted the people to think what would happen if they voted to these parties now.

“Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has many plans to develop the city into a global destination and you have to vote for the ruling party for development. On being voted to power at the GHMC, we will show you the development of the city,” he remarked.

“Instead of focusing on the city growth, the previous regimes piled up many problems. The TRS was trying to wipe out the dirt, stench and ditch piled up by these parties for over six decades. Despite our efforts during 18 months of rule, the Opposition parties are making useless remarks. The Opposition parties are getting jealous at our welfare schemes and plans of development,” he remarked.

Jagadish Reddy said leaders from other parties were joining the TRS as they had immense faith in Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his plans of people’s welfare and development.

The TRS would certainly get the Mayor post by winning majority of seats in the GHMC polls, he said, and called upon the people not to get misled by the Opposition’s persistent criticism and instead help the TRS win the civic polls.

Meanwhile, Rama Rao welcomed former corporator Prakash Goud and many others into the TRS fold by offering pink shawls at Kothapet and LB Nagar during the election campaign.

The Minister reiterated that Seemandhra people residing in the twin cities were ‘our brethren’ and vowed to implement a ‘development mantra’ under the stewardship of Chandrashekar Rao.

“Ours is a State fight for welfare of people and not a street-fight as it was being reported by other political parties,” he said.

“Though we are divided into States, the people of both the regions are living together harmoniously. When I enquired, an old woman said she was getting increased pension and ration. She also said Chandrashekar Rao was like her elder son and his family members were also taking care of her health and food", Rama Rao said.