The Telangana Rashtra Samith government headed by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao might have utter contempt for Congress party and its president Rahul Gandhi, for the simple reason that the party is its main rival in the TRS in the next elections in Telangana.
But all said and done, Rahul Gandhi is a VIP, not just because he is an MP and president of a national party, but also son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who had laid down his life for the country.
He should be treated as a guest for the state by the TRS government. Besides providing necessary police protection, he should be provided accommodation in a state guest house at the state expenses.
But, the TRS government has displayed complete disregard for Rahul.
When the state Congress leaders requested for an accommodation in the Hotel Plaza, owned by Department of Tourism, the initial response from the government was: “Let us check with the ruled.”
After repeated requests, the government allowed accommodation in Hotel Plaza but on one condition: Rahul will have to pay for the accommodation and other expenses.
It was a surprise for the Congress leaders, but they did not say anything and agreed to pay for the hotel expenses.
“Rahul Gandhi is not so cheap a person to depend on the state government for accommodation and food. He cannot afford to book a Presidential suite in a five star hotel. But we expected that the state would give proper respect to a VIP like Rahul. Having seen the mean attitude of the KCR government, we have agreed to pay for the hotel,” a senior Congress leader said.
