Andhra Pradesh chief minister Naidu on Tuesday night sounded the bugle for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections on behalf of the TDP-BJP combine by addressing a public meeting at Nizam College grounds in Hyderabad.
But, Naidu’s speech lacked the usual fire associated with poll-time rhetoric. His speech was also unbelievably brief and devoid of any critical reference to failures of TRS government or the reference to the Seemandhra people. It was clear that Naidu did not want to antagonize the TRS. Instead he talked of the need for the two states to travel together. It might have disappointed
T- BJP which had been on war path with TRS for quite some time. Participating in the in first public meeting organized by TDP-BJP combine in the capacity of national president of TDP , Naidu simply devoted his speech to tell the people about the his contribution to the development of Hyderabad into global city. There was no hostility towards either the ruling party or chief minister KCR ‘s policies.
“Every one of you know my contribution to the growth of Hyderabad city. All of you can’t deny that it was the TDP government which brought the global reputation to the city by developing infrastructure on all fronts whether it is IT or Pharma , health , hospitality sector outer ring road etc,” Naidu said.
Stating that the win in GHMC polls would pave the path for TDP-BJP combine to come to power in Telangana State in 2019 , Naidu asked the cadre to work hard for win the Hyderabad Mayor post.
In his speech Naidu sought to dispel misgivings about this prolonged absence in Hyderabad. Naidu said, “Thammullu (brothers)! I’ll come keep coming to you frequently to protect your interests. I will never leave you in the lurch.”
Oddly he also referred to the need for cooperation between the governments of both AP and TS for the sake of development of the entire Telugu community.
“The Telugus should remain united. Even though, we are geographically divided, we are bound by one language. AP and TS are like my two eyes. I want the two sister States develop on all fronts with hand in hand,” Naidu asserted.
BJP leaders on the stage, Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, party TS unit chief G Kishan Reddy and K Lakshman watched Naidu’s unusually composed attitude towards Telangana government with curiosity.
Besides Bandaru Dattatreya, Kishna Reddy and Lakshman, Union Minister Sujana Chowdary, TDP general secretary Lokesh, TDP Telangana president L Ramana, working president A Revanth Reddy and several other seniors from both TDP and BJP took part in the meeting.
However, the political spice was provided by TDP national general secretary and in charge of the campaign from TDP side Nara Lokesh.
Citing many unkept promises of T-chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Lokesh took dig at TS CM for his lackluster performance in the past 19 months and he praised AP CM for his remarkable performance.
“AP CM Naidu is a man of deeds whereas Telangana CM KCR a man of words. Even though, AP is left with huge revenue deficit post-bifurcation, Naidu is able to put the State on the path of development within a span of just 19 months. But, KCR has done nothing to the new State, even though TS started with Rs 16,000 crore surplus ,” Lokesh remarked.
The young politico dubbed KCR’s ‘tall talk ‘ of constructing skyscrapers around Hussain Sagar Lake, relocating the TS secretariat to Erragadda and cleansing the Hussaian Sagar as example of T-CM’s empty words.
