There is dire need for unification of regional parties: KCR

Bhubaneswar, Dec 24: TRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Sunday said there is a dire need for unification of regional parties to provide an alternative to Congress and BJP ahead of 2019 elections.

“I can say certainly that there is a dire need for unification of regional parties in the country. We strongly believe that there has to be an aleternative to Congress and BJP,” Rao told reporters after meeting BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.

Both the chief ministers had a detail discussion on national issues including the need for better friendship among the regional parties, Patnaik said while Rao said: “This is just beinging of a daialogue .. will meet again and discuss how to take things foward.”

The meeting between the two leaders assumed

significance amid talks about efforts at formation of a new political front of like-minded non-BJP and non-Congress parties to take on the national parties in the upcoming polls.

“This is the first time today and effectively need to

talk to some more people across the country. We have just started,” Rao said as both the leaders addressed the media together after a 30-minute meeting.

Asked whether he talked with BJD about the possible formation of a non-BJP and non-Congress front, Rao said: “Why not? Certainly.”

While explaining his stand, Rao said there should be a “qualitative change” for which a dialogue has begun. “We are doing our efforts. Nothing concrete has come out now. I think something will emerge,” the Telengana Chief Minister said.

Optimistic that something “concrete” will emerge from the discussion with leaders of different regional parties, Rao said: “You will see the development in future. Let us not be anxious right now. This is the begining.”

Patnaik, who jointly spoke the media, said: “We are

certainly regional parties and there is a need of surge of

friendship among the like-minded parties.”

“These days, there is a big joke in the country,” said

Rao while Patnaik endorsed his remark and quipped “exactly.”

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes to Hyderabad and says TRS is a ‘B” team of Congress, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi claim that I am the “B” team of BJP, said Rao adding “let me tell you, we are our own team.”

Rao was given a rousing welcome at the Naveen Niwas, the residence of Odisha Chief Minister, after he reached here.

Sources said Rao is on a four-day tour to meet various other leaders also to garner support for his proposed non-BJP and non-Congress front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The Telangana chief minister along with his family

members is schedued to visit Konark Temple and Jagannath Temple on Monday.

From Bhubaneswar, the Telangana CM will proceed to Kolkata, where he will call on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday.

Senior Congress leader and party’s in-charge for

Telangana, Ramachandra Khuntia alleged that Rao’s meeting with Patnaik is part of a gameplan to weaken the proposed “mahagathbandhan” (grand alliance) among non-BJP parties.

Rao has been acting at the behest of BJP and NDA to dilute the efforts of like-minded non-BJP parties for

formation of a mega alliance before the general elections slated to be held early next year, he said.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Rao’s visit will have no impact on BJP’s electoral prospects as “zero added to zero will also have no value.”