KCR's Conditional Nod To TRS Merger With Congres In AP?

By Santosh Kumar | Delhi

The much-awaited meeting between Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi finally happened. In his first meeting with Sonia post the passage of Telangana Bill, KCR is believed to have given a conditional nod to his party's merger with Congress.

The buzz in the political circles is that the TRS chief put forth several demands before Sonia in order for his party to be merged with Congress.
According to a report in the national media, KCR placed before Sonia his wishlist for Telangana state. The following are the demands reportedly put forth by the TRS chief

- National Project status for Pranahita-Chevella irrigation project 
- An IIM and AIIMS branches in Telangana state
- Adequate gas allocation to Shankarpally and Nedunur Power Projects
- Inclusion of Telangana into Special Category State.

KCR also met Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to thank him for his party's support in the passage of Bill in the Parliament for creating a separate Telangana state. Later, KCR drove to Rastrapathi Bhavan to meet President Pranab Mukherjee.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with President, KCR said: "Today, we led a delegation to the President's residence to seek his blessings. Telangana state is now a reality. The President's golden signature is awaited and with his signature Telangana state will come into force. We sought his blessings for the future development of Telangana. President said 'My blessings will always will be there for the future development of Telangana'," KCR said after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee. 

It is expected that Telangana supporters will chock-a-block the road to old Hyderabad Airport. It is learnt that KCR supporters are planning to throng the airport to welcome him.
KCR is expected to arrive in Hyderabad on February 26 by a special aircraft. KCR's supporters sought police permission to carry out a procession. KCR will lead a rally from Begumpet to Gun Park soon after he lands in Hyderabad. Apparently, the police too has given its go ahead for KCR's rally.