A day after the call by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for the formation of a 'third front' ahead of the 2019 general elections, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi backed the plan.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "I welcome Telangana CM's statement and he rightly stated that people of the country are fed up with BJP governance and Congress is not a viable option, neither can it become one."
Owaisi also praised KCR's four-year rule in his state, adding, "He (KCR) has given exemplary governance to Telangana in the last 4 years."
In a press conference held at Pragathi Bhavan on Saturday, KCR told reporters that talks in this regard had already started and it would soon take some shape.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President claimed that people want change as the present political system had miserably failed and said he was ready to play an active role in bringing that change.
KCR said that once the process for change begins, it will spread like wildfire.
"The country has to move in a new direction. People should think about it otherwise we will remain the same. How long we will hear stories of the progress in the US and China? Change should come in the people. The tools for this change could be coalition, front, or anything," he said.
Stating that there is no difference between the BJP and Congress, he said these two parties were in power for almost the entire period since independence but even after 70 years there is no qualitative change.
"No qualitative change could be seen by people even after 70 years of democratic exercise. This is unfortunate. People are vexed now," he added.
"Qualitative change is not taking place in both the regimes. What has happened so far is unsatisfactory. Why are there naxalites in this country? Why is there so much unrest? Why are there social fights everywhere? Why are Dalits and Tribals fighting?" he asked.
He said BJP could bring no changes. He criticised it for not doing anything for the farmers.
"If tomorrow Congress comes to power, nothing will change. Only the names of the schemes will change," he said.
KCR also did not rule out joining hands with Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a partner in BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. TDP, the ruling party in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, has threatened to walk out of the alliance over the BJP not fulfilling the commitments made to the state.
"I have nothing against Modi or BJP. I am against the slow progress of the country. The slow pace of progress is not digestible," he said.
"I am 64. If I can help bring the change and serve the country for few years, I will definitely do it," he added.
IANS inputs