Telangana Chief Minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao will declare his “Dharma Yuddham” (righteous war) against the BJP from Khammam on Wednesday at the first mega rally of the BRS in the presence of leaders of other regional parties like the AAP and SP as well as the Left.
The sleepy town of Khammam along the Telangana – Andhra Pradesh border, has transformed into a “pink city” with thousands of flexes and banners and balloons in party colours dotting its skyline before the first mega rally.
KCR’s choice of Khammam, as a venue, has baffled even his most ardent followers since it is not exactly a BRS base with a single MLA elected on a TRS ticket. The rally is, in fact, more of a show of strength as the BRS wants to call the shots in the district.
Khammam has been more of a Congress and Left stronghold with parties like TDP and YSRCP holding sway over a large population hailing from Krishna and Guntur districts in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
The party has set a target of gathering at least 5 lakh people for Wednesday’s meeting. Many of the vehicles carrying supporters would come from neighbouring districts, particularly, erstwhile Nalgonda from where BRS minister, G Jagadish Reddy, will be mobilising people in 1400 lorries.
The Left are also mobilising their own supporters for the meeting. The parking area earmarked is 4 times larger than the venue of the meeting. All roads in Khammam town lead to the meeting venue with huge cutouts, posters, banners and festoons put up on both sides of the roads.
Apart from KCR, Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal, his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwat Singh Mann, CPM leader, Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI leader D Raja and SP leader, Akhilesh Yadav are expected to share the stage with KCR. Clearly, the parties, who are ready to maintain equal distance from both BJP and the Congress are currently with KCR.
With the presence of 4 Chief Ministers, there has been a huge deployment of security forces as well for the meeting.
Prior to their visit to Khammam, the Chief Ministers and Akhilesh Yadav will visit the Yadagirigutta temple and then fly to the venue by choppers.
Meanwhile, Congress MP, N Uttam Kumar Reddy has alleged that the BRS was using the official machinery for political publicity.
“Expenditure on the construction of helipads, hiring of additional vehicles, movement and food of security personnel and other officials and other related costs should be borne by the BRS party,” he said. He also demanded an apology from the Chief Minister for arresting the chilli farmers, who have been agitating for remunerative prices under false cases.
BJP State president, Bandi Sanjay Kumar took a dig over the planned detour. “Temples have become business centers for Kalvakuntla family…Is KCR taking other states CMs to showcase Hindu temples as investment opportunities ahead of BRS Khammam meeting ?” asked Bandi Sanjay Kumar.