KCR meets Uddhav Thackeray, discuss working together to develop nation

Mumbai: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao met Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Sunday.

During a press conference held after the meeting, KCR said the two states had decided to work together for the betterment of the country. Stating that the nation is witnessing revenge politics, he said, "Being neighbouring states, we will work together for the development of the nation. To bring change in the country, we will do whatever we wish to do openly, in public, support each other publicly and not secretly."

He said they had discussed a number of issues to develop the nation, speed up progress, and bring about changes in policies. KCR invited Mr. Thackeray to Hyderabad and said, "We are like brothers. India needs to see several changes and together, we will work towards bringing the changes."

Meanwhile, Mr. Thackrey said the meeting was fruitful and added that somebody needs to take an initiative and think about the country. Attacking the BJP-led Central government, he said there should be an understanding between states. "We have started an effort towards that. CM and PM will come and go but the nation has to remain. This effort will take time and a lot of hard work. This business of lies and defaming others isn't good and this is what's happening today," said Mr. Thackrey.

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

KCR is also met former Maharashtra CM and senior political leader Sharad Pawar.

Initially, Chief Minister set eyes on national politics by floating a national party and forming a Third Front of parties minus Congress against BJP. He even claimed he was Union Minister in the Council of Ministers which was equal to PM and that national politics was nothing new for him. KCR met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and sought her support. However, sources in ruling party said Mamata Banerjee did not find favour in a Third Front minus Congress. He also met Tamil Nadu CM Stalin and claimed he spoke to other CMs as well in his endeavor. Rumours were agog that if he shifts to Centre he would hand over the mantle to son and State Minister for Municipal Administration and IT, Mr. K T Rama Rao but it did not materialise.

Having failed to get response for his proposed Third Front or alterative to BJP minus Congress, KCR seems to be now cozying up to Congress going by his support to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on an incident. If KCR's close allies are to be believed, the Chief Minister will go all out on March 10, the day results of Assembly elections to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa will be announced and if BJP gets a drubbing. Elections are being held in these states from February 10 to March 3. "You will see KCR in action on March 10. You know why? The results of 5 States will be out and he expects a drubbing for BJP. If not, he will change tune and accept public mandate or float another theory," remarked a MLC.

To recall, following his volatile press meet which reflected a growing gap between KCR and Modi, he skipped to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad Airport when the latter arrived here to inaugurate Saint Ramanuja's statue of equality near Shamshabad near here citing "sickness" first and later claiming "its personal visit of PM and no need for CM to receive." Instead, he sent Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav as Minister in waiting to receive and send off the Prime Minister.