KTR vows to quit if TRS fails in GHMC polls

K T Rama Rao, IT & Panchayat Raj Minister and son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who is piloting the campaigning for the February 2 GHMC elections, has declared that he would resign as minister if his party meets its Waterloo.

Speaking at a Meet-the-Press program organized by the Hyderabad journalists here on Monday, Tarakarama Rao exuded confidence that his party would win more than 100 out of 150 seats in GHMC elections. The MIM will be in the second position and BJP in the third, he predicted. KTR also reiterated that the Congress would not even secure 10 seats.

KTR also criticized the previous governments for failing to develop the Telangana region and Hyderabad city. “Our party’s goal was to provide basic needs to the citizens of Hyderabad like water, health, round-the-clock power supply even during summer, safety of women, education and good administration. Stating that Hyderabad was the economical capital of the Telangana State, he said Hyderabad is a destination to the world for investments for which the TRS government would improve infrastructure and friendly industrial policies to the upcoming industries. The State government would also initiate effective measures to ease vehicular traffic jam through 54 signal free junctions in Hyderabad, 11 skyways to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 11,000 crore.

KTR also said Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was keen on developing Hyderabad city into a safe, smart, clean, green and livable city. He assured the citizens of completing the outer ring road within six months, curb encroachments in the Musi river and river-bed land will be developed in a phased manner. The IT minister said the government would spend Rs 2000 Cr for providing 24-hour power supply to the people, development of roads at a cost of Rs 2500 Cr and welfare schemes implementation at a cost of Rs 33,000 Cr.

Stating that religious harmony was very important for the development of Hyderabad into a global city, he charged the BJP with encouraging communal politics to win more seats. He pointed out that his party was encouraging the people to participate in development activities. Stating that the second phase of metro rail project would begin in 2017, he said the State government would build houses for BPL families, whose income is below Rs 6 lakh a year.

The TRS leader said the ruling party was sure of bagging the mayor post also as the State government had done a lot of development in the city in the past 18 months. He reiterated that the TRS government was keen on transforming the metropolitan city into a global city completely changing its face. He also disclosed that a 42-km flyover will be constructed along the river Musi to provide new connectivity within the heart of the city and will bring thousands of acres of land into use.

Regarding the election campaigning, the IT minister said, “KCR is the most glamorous hero in Telangana and they don’t need any film stars to campaign for his party. When asked, KTR said he never dreamt of becoming chief minister but he was capable of doing what he wanted to do for the people in his present position. (NSS)