K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR,) the Chief Minister of Telangana, on Sunday, started his campaign toward his ‘third front’ mission.
Mr. Rao, set to take over national politics with a third front party, hired a private aircraft for a month and kicked off his seven day campaign.
KCR began the tour on Sunday and visited Rajasyamala Temple in Visakhapatnam and took the blessings of Swami Swarupanandendra for a fresh start. Later, on the same day, KCR met Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha and held a joint press conference.
At the joint press conference, KCR said, “We have discussed a lot of things on the alternative front. The discussion has just begun. It will continue further. I may have to come to Odisha again to take this forward.”
Going further, KCR plans to meet Ms. Mamata Banarjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, on Tuesday. This meeting will be the second such meeting, where both the ministers will talk about the third front idea and an alliance between regional parties.
Speaking about the meeting, Derek O Brien, a senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, said, “When we are looking at 2019, don’t be surprised. Obviously everyone wants to listen to her, share their thoughts with her. This is but natural.”
Ms. Banerjee, who is against the BJP Government, showed interest to form an alliance with KCR and is expected to go ahead with the coalition.
Other leaders such as Mayawati, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party (SP) leader, are also likely to be approached by KCR for the alliance.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won the Telangana Assembly elections with a majority of 89 seats. The Party is now eyeing the Lok Sabha elections of 2019.
