Plum slots for 'outsiders' in TRS upset veterans' applecart

Hyderabad: The allotment of plum posts to other party leaders joining the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has left veteran leaders of the pink party pondering their political future.

Sources said that the issue came to the fore in recently held State party meeting and TRS chief and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao plunged into damage control.

Some of the leaders who have been with the party since its inception are waiting to get recognition sooner or later. These leaders are worried over the supremacy of the 'outsiders' as they say and alleged that they have been taking away important posts in the government.

The leaders point out the new cabinet, where except for four including the Chief Minister, all others shifted loyalties from Telugu Desam Party or other parties to the TRS.

Though they have contested on TRS ticket they were not originally from the TRS. Several Congress MLAs have pledged support to the TRS and said that they were ready to resign and contest on TRS ticket.

The TRS leaders who until now fought with them in the constituencies would have to support them if they are made candidates.

The party gave one nominated post of chairman of Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman to M Srinivas Reddy, who contested against K Chandrashekar Rao in 2004 elections and later joined the TRS.

The TRS leaders feel that there is no need for outsiders in the party now as the State has showed faith in the TRS government by giving them a thumping majority in the recently held Assembly elections.

"With new entrants into the party, there is competition for the posts and this will leave the leaders sad as they are with the party since the beginning.

I don't know whether I will get extension or not in my nominated post," said a TRS leader who is enjoying a nominated post and his term would expire soon.

The TRS leader said that they had to fight against these outsiders until recently and now they have to work under them.

Anticipating this, the Chief Minister during a recent meeting with the party leaders said that there would be more opportunities in future.

Sources said that the Chief Minister asked the leaders not to get disheartened with other leaders getting post. Others getting posts does not mean the leaders who did not get posts are lesser to the one who got the post.

The TRS leadership is now convincing the party leaders by stating that there would be many opportunities in future. Sources said that the TRS chief talked of more opportunities with delimitation of constituencies.

He reportedly told the TRS leaders that earlier government did not support the demand of delimitation. There may be a favourable government at the Centre and delimitation may also take place, he told the party leaders in the recent meeting according to sources.

Another TRS leader said that the party has to take decision based on different aspects like caste, abilities of the leader etc. He said that other party leaders have strengthened the TRS and gotten posts.

The party leaders need not worry as the party chief has already said there will be more opportunities, he added.