Telangana CM K Chandrasekhara Rao along with his family members offered prayers at the Jagannadh Temple at Puri in Orissa during his current tour there. The temple officials and priests gave KCR ‘poornakumbha’ swagatham. His present visit assumed significance as KCR has mixed pilgrimage with politics.

While visiting local temples and swamijis, KCR is simultaneously meeting with leaders of regional parties. He met with Orissa CM and Biju Janata Dal leader Navin Patnaik already when he held discussions on his proposed Federal Front. After completing his Orissa tour, KCR is going to visit Kolkata and meet with West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Bennerjee there. He will try to convince her to consider joining the Federal Front as well.

KCR carefully chose Navin Patnaik and Mamata in his initial tour since both these leaders are not out and out pro-Congress. While Navin is maintaining equal distance from both the Congress and the BJP, Mamata Bennerjee is opposed to both Modi and Rahul occupying PM chair after 2019 elections. Trinamool leaders want to see Mamata in PM post considering her able leadership, fighting spirit and long political career.
Political analysts say there will be no immediate major impact out of KCR’s visits in other states as Navin has not given him any commitment right now while Mamata is also not expected to support KCR’s front outright.

G.Ravikiran