KCR met Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s visit to Thiruvananthapuram and meeting with his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday has triggered widespread speculation in political circles that the Federal Front concept mooted by the former was all set to take shape, post the Lok Sabha results on May 23.

Chandrashekhar Rao, who had a one-on-one meeting with Vijayan on the emerging political scenario, will also call on DMK president M K Stalin on May 13. With just two phases of the Lok Sabha elections remaining, the timing of Chandrashekhar Rao’s move indicates that the Federal Front could emerge as the front-runner to form the government at the Centre.

The Chief Minister, who has been pushing hard for a non-BJP, non-Congress political alternative to take over the reins of the country, has all along been saying that neither national party would be in a position to form the government at the Centre after May 23. Strong and like-minded regional parties that are seeking infusion of true federalism at the Centre unlike the NDA and UPA would come to power, Chandrashekhar Rao had repeatedly said during the election campaign.

HDK speaks to CM
Even as the Chief Minister stepped up his efforts to forge the Federal Front, leaders of various political parties took note of the development, and described Chandrashekhar Rao as a person who understood the political pulse.Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy spoke with him and inquired about his two-State tour and also discussed the current political scenario.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said the developments in South India indicated that Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s chances of forming a government for a second time were fading fast, and that Chandrashekhar Rao ‘understands the pulse of politics’.

Echoing his views, grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar and convener of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), Prakash Ambedkar, said neither Narendra Modi nor Congress president Rahul Gandhi will become the next Prime Minister, and that someone from the ‘Third Front’ may occupy the chair after the elections. He felt that former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda was more acceptable for the post once again. “Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao also can be another frontrunner for the post as he has performed well in the recent Assembly elections and is expected to repeat the success in Lok Sabha polls as well,” he added.

Prakash Raj’s support
Actor-turned-politician Prakash Raj said Chandrashekhar Rao’s Federal Front agenda was aimed at national development and not for his elevation to the Prime Minister’s post. “His agenda for a non-Congress and non-BJP government has its roots in national development and people’s welfare. People will listen to him as he has proved his political acumen and administration through implementation of innovative programmes like Rythu Bandhu, Mission Bhagiratha and Haritha Haram among many others,” he said.

Earlier last year, Chandrashekhar Rao flew down to Kolkata to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. After the meeting, he said a beginning was made to bring together like-minded group of political leaders aimed at a real federal front for the country. Later, he met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, MK Stalin in Chennai and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda as well as his son and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in April last year.

While former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav came down to Hyderabad to meet Chandrashekhar Rao on the issue, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi too endorsed the proposal.