A day after news emerged of a meeting between Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief is meeting more leaders from neighbouring southern states. In what is viewed as an attempt to kickstart his plans for a ‘federal front’, KCR -- as he is popularly known-- will be trying to increase the numbers of a non-BJP non-Congress front at the centre.
With speculation rife that the Telangana CM may meet Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, sources in the JD(S) confirmed to TNM that a phone call did indeed take place between the two Chief Ministers.
Sources in the DMK confirmed to TNM that a meeting between the party chief and Telangana CM will indeed take place on Monday, May 13 ie ten days before the results of the Lok Sabha polls are announced. Tamil Nadu has witnessed a turbulent polling period marked by violence, cash seizures and the historic rescinding of Lok Sabha polls in the Vellore constituency. While the state voted to elect 38 parliamentarians(along with the lone seat in Puducherry), it will also await the results of 22 bye-polls to be announced simultaneously on Thursday, May 23. However, party sources in the DMK-- which is in alliance with the Congress-- have dubbed this a ‘courtesy call’ despite the political significance of it.
KCR met Stalin last year over a luncheon at the DMK chief's home in Chennai in April 2018 and he made a quick visit to Bengaluru in May to congratulate CM Kumaraswamy on taking oath in May.
With all the five southern states having gone to the polls in the first three phases, it appears KCR has upped the efforts for the formation of a non-BJP, non-Congress government at the Centre. He already has the support of YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy who has openly stated that his party and the TRS will act as a block. TRS leaders like KT Rama Rao and Kavitha have told TNM that they are confident that a non-BJP, non-Congress government will come into power this time. KCR is looking at an alliance of regional parties, supported by Congress or BJP from outside, if the NDA or UPA does not cross the majority mark. Moreover, TRS leaders say that they are confident even leaders like Stalin will agree with such a coalition if the political scenario dictates so.
He has also held talks with leaders of the Trinamool Congress, the Biju Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party.
Chandrasekhar Rao will meet with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, following which he will make a trip to temples in Rameshwaram and Srirangam before returning to Hyderabad.