KCR picks son over daughter

Hyderabad

March 20: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, has decided to nominate only his son, Mr K.T. Rama Rao for a party ticket. His daughter, Ms Kavita, who had become popular with a campaign to protect Telangana culture, will have to wait for some more time.
Sources in the TRS said Mr Rama Rao will contest from the Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat only if the TRS chief decides to opt for another constituency. Mr Chandrasekhar Rao is in a dilemma on whether to contest again from the Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat or shift either to Medak or Mahbubnagar. The TRS chief does not want to be criticised by party activists and rivals for giving tickets to both his children.
Now, Mr Chandrasekar Rao has five relatives in the party. Apart from the TRS chief, his nephew, Mr T. Harish Rao and another close relative Mr Vinod are active in the party.
Mr Chandrasekar Rao had reportedly consulted close confidants and senior party leaders about this and a final decision will be taken before March 23.
“Mr Chandrasekhar Rao doesn’t want to take a risk by contesting again from Karimnagar which brought him close to defeat in the bypolls. Election analysts opine that a contest this time from the seat could be a very risky affair,” a senior TRS leader said. “Party leaders and activists want him to contest again from Karimnagar lest rivals allege that he ran away,” he added.
Mahbubnagar, which is not a TRS stronghold, is being seriously considered for the TRS chief. However, the party leaders and activists are divided over the issue.
Mr Chandrasekhar Rao had told party leaders that the TRS is yet to establish itself in Mahbubnagar, Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad districts but joining hands with the Telugu Desam would help the party, another senior party leader said.