Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has been staying put in New Delhi for the last one week, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, too, is said to be planning to tour the national capital sometime this week.
Though the exact schedule of Jagan’s Delhi visit has not yet been finalised, sources said he might plan the tour soon after the return of KCR to Hyderabad.
“In all probability, he might leave for New Delhi on Wednesday or Thursday,” sources said.
It is for the first time that KCR has chosen to spend so many days in the national capital.
Though the purpose of his visit initially was to lay the foundation stone for the TRS party office, he used the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Jal Sakthi minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Apparently, KCR has put forth his arguments strongly before the Centre about his government’s stand on Krishna and Godavari river water disputes with Andhra Pradeh and managed to convince them with his presentation.
This has forced Jagan to decide on rushing to Delhi to counter the Telangana government’s stand.
“He will try for an appointment with the PM, Shah and others and discuss the issues pertaining to the state,” sources said.
Apart from countering KCR’s arguments, Jagan will be focussing on mobilising additional financial resources to the state and seeking considerable grants from the Centre. He would discuss the state financial issues directly with Modi.
Jagan is also expected to take up the issue of rebel MP Raghurama Krishnam Raju with Shah and seek his immediate expulsion from the Lok Sabha. The chief minister is of the view that the BJP leadership was backing Raju.
Sources said Modi and the top BJP leadership would definitely entertain the requests of Jagan in the wake of the forthcoming elections to President and Vice President of India.
The Centre also requires the support of the ruling parties of the two Telugu states for passing the crucial bills in Parliament.
Jagan is also likely to get in principle clearance from the Centre on the three capitals issue.
Once he gets the nod, he might operate his camp office from Visakhapatnam after Dasara festival, sources said.
