TRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has ruled out his daughter and Nizamabad MP, K. Kavitha becoming a minister in the BJP-led government at the Centre, but indicated that he is open minded about joining the ruling NDA coalition in the future. “I cannot say what will happen in future,” he said when asked about his daughter’s political prospects at the Centre.
The Chief Minister, who addressed a gathering to celebrate the victory of TRS affiliated coal miners’ union—Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS)—in the Thursday elections to decide the official recognised union status, said that Kavitha richly deserved credit for the win and he complimented her for it. Kavitha was seated along with him on the dais.
Talking about demands that Kavitha be made a Central minister, KCR, in a lighter vein, asked the gathering: “Shall we make her the coal minister at the Centre? But, how is it possible when we are not in the NDA? As of now, TRS is not in the NDA, but who knows what will happen in future after the next elections?” KCR hinted that there might not be any changes before the elections.
The CM was confident that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would definitely give time to inaugurate the Hyderabad Metro Rail project on 28 November when he visits here in connection with the Global Entrepreneurs’ Summit. “I am sure, the PM will launch the project as he had told me that he would be here in November end,” said KCR.
KCR refused to spell out if the Telangana government was ready to slash VAT on petrol and diesel in tune with the Rs 2 per litre tax cut by the Centre. The CM said that Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had written to him suggesting that the states too should cut taxes on petrol and diesel to lessen the burden on the consumers. “We will have to examine the issue first,” said KCR.
KCR is one of the strong supporters of GST. He backed the tax reform when it was passed in Parliament, but expressed reservations on its implementation and sought several amendments later. Commenting on GST, the CM said that it was still in an experimentation stage and it would take time to see its execution. “Even developed countries like the US have gone back on it,” said KCR.