Mamata Banerjee wants to have 'masala dosa' in Hyderabad: TRS MP Ranjith Reddy

Hyderabad: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her desire to have a 'masala dosa' in Hyderabad, said TRS Chevella MP Dr. Ranjith Reddy.

Dr. Reddy was trying to hint at a new grand alliance with 'non-BJP parties'. The sudden flurry of activities and visits of senior politicians are taking the 'alliance' issue to the next level.

On February 20, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao flew to Mumbai to meet Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar. Accompanying KCR was Ranjith Reddy, TRS MLC K Kavitha, political bureau member Sravan Reddy, and MLC Dr. Palla Rajeshwar Reddy.

But what set the tongues wagging was the presence of popular South Indian actor Prakash Raj. The meeting created a flutter in political circles and made headlines of sorts. Raj has been extremely vocal about his stand against the saffron party.

Chief Minister KCR was warmly welcomed by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. They agreed so much 'wrong is happening in the country'.

"India needs a change. Many wrong decisions have tarnished our country. If it goes unchecked, the country will suffer at large. Even the bureaucrats have raised red flags. Someone has to bell the cat, so it is KCR who has started discussions with other senior politicians and Chief Ministers. If the TRS government could develop Telangana in 8 years, why can't the ruling dispensation at the Centre do so? The state has the highest per capita income," he said.

He said the people of India are looking for an alternative to the BJP and Modi. "Chief Minister KCR is providing them an alternative. During our meeting with Maharashtra ministers, we told them about various welfare schemes. Telangana government has spent close to Rs 50,000 Cr in 7 years by providing Raithu Bandhu to farmers. The central government has just given us Rs 42,000 Cr during the same period. The government also spent wholeheartedly on other schemes," he said.

On Prakash Raj, the MP said he is a good friend of KCR. "What is wrong? Besides being an actor, he is a good friend of CM KCR. We met him in a hotel and later he accompanied the team. Nothing wrong if someone like Prakash Rai joins us since he comes from the same school of thought," he said.

He said NCP chief Sharad Pawar asked his ministers to take a cue from the TRS government. "We are going to brief everyone about what is happening in the country. We will try to draw a comparison between Telangana and the rest of the country," he said.

He said Pawar didn't speak much about the outcome of the current elections across five Indian states.

NewsMeter also reached out to actor Prakash Raj, he, however, said he would respond at an appropriate time. "Need to wait for some days. Let things incubate for some time. It's important to give the right perspective' he said.

Sunday's press conference of KCR and Udhav Thackeray has once again put the country into an election mood. KCR said two states have decided to work together for the betterment of the country.

"Being neighboring states, we will work together for the development of the nation. To bring change to the country, we will do everything. We will support each other publicly and not secretly," KCR said.

He said they had discussed a number of issues to develop the nation, speed up progress, and bring about changes in policies.

KCR also invited Thackeray to Hyderabad. "We are like brothers. India needs a change. Together, we will work towards bringing the change," he said.

Thackeray said the meeting was fruitful. Hitting out at BJP-led central government, he said there should be an understanding between the states.

"We have started an effort towards that. CM and PM come and go, but the nation remains. It will take time and a lot of hard work. This business of lies and defaming others isn't good. Unfortunately, this is what's happening today," said Thackeray.

He said further discussions will be held with other parties and leaders in Hyderabad to discuss the country's future.

"It was a pleasure meeting CM KCR at my residence today. We discussed various issues of development and cooperation between Telangana and Maharasthra," Pawar tweeted.