Hyderabad, September 23: Faced with a barrage of criticism by Telangana supporters for saying nice things about coastal Andhra MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has a tightrope walk to do on Wednesday when he addresses CEOs of industry to allay their fears on bifurcation of the state.
KCR left his supporters aghast when he described Rajagopal as a “hero” and professed “love” for him.
And then he said everyone born in Telangana had a rightful claim to its nativity and by inference a claim to local jobs.While Telangana hardliners have been unable to digest the TRS chief in the role of a statesman, he is likely to go further in his newfound direction when he addresses industry captains’ fears in a closed-door meeting organised by the India CEO Forum on Wednesday.
In meeting KCR, industry wants to hear words of assurance from him about the future scenario for business in case the state is divided.
It expects the TRS strongman — who has in the past spoken of civil wars and bloodbaths if a separate state is not granted — to explain how conditions conducive for business will be nurtured.
In particular, Radha Ahluwalia, managing director of the International Market Assessment (IMA) which is organising the CEOs’ forum, asked in a letter to KCR, ‘’How do you expect the relationship between Telangana and Andhra to function in the hypothetical future of two separate states. What will cause friction, and where are the opportunities for synergy?’’ The CEO are further expected to test KCR with questions citing the precedents of smaller states created in the past. Ahluwalia’s note asks KCR, ‘’In the past, regrettably, other states that have been created in India do not necessarily hold a record of improved functioning.
How do you believe that will be enabled in Telangana?’’ While allyaing industry’s fears with his answers, the TRS chief will also have to address questions raised by his fellow travellers on the separatist bandwagon.
Prof Kodandaram, the convener of the Telangana Joint Action Committee, guardedly expressed this disquiet in the separatist camp today, when he said. ‘’The argument that all those born in Telangana should be considered natives of Telangana will certaintly hurt the interests of genuine Telangana residents.’’
–Agencies