Is Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao turning out for Narendra Modi what George Fernandes was for Atal Bihari Vajpaee during NDA I ruleij
The question has gained momentum as KCR met Modi for the second time in one and half month in New Delhi.
Ostensibly the purpose of the meeting was to raise a long list of the state’s demands and pending issues with the Centre, politics could not have been away from their minds when the next elections have started casting their shadows on the country.
TRS sources said that the issue of a possible understanding between the TRS and the BJP did came up during the one hour long meeting. KCR, who has a formidable reputation for his political acumen, reportedly told the Prime Minister that any pre poll direct alliance with the BJP will not be in the interest of the TRS. But he also did not rule out the possibility of TRS extending support to Modi after the elections in case the NDA falls short of numbers.
This is not the first time that such a possibility was being discussed in political circles. According to the grapevine the TRS leadership was open to the possibility of a discreet understanding in the elections and allow the BJP to retain its lone lok Sabha seat and five assembly seats, all in Hyderabad region. But the BJP keen to expand its foot print and increase its strength in Telangana was pressing for more as its state leadership feels that it could make in roads in north Telangana district.
TRS sources said that even Modi was not convinced about the tall claims of the state leadership of his party and was willing for a strategic tie up with KCR not only for Telangana for but also part of his over all gameplan. Under this strategy Modi sees a larger role of go-between for KCR and wants him to liaise between the BJP and other regional parties.
Significantly there was no dearth people who believe that the idea of Federal Front was a balloon KCR had set off at the behest of Modi to counter Congress’ efforts to emerge nuclei of an opposition front.
But as it could not make much headway and other parties were not willing to write off Congress’ role, and even JD (Secular) in neighboring Karnataka was compelled to join hands with Congress, KCR had to give it up for the time being.