Communalism, casteism & money defeated TRS: Eatala Rajendar

Karimnagar: K Chandrashekar Rao after starting separate Telangana Movement chose the Karimangar Lok Sabha seat to demonstrate there was overwhelming support to the statehood cause and won three times from the district which proved lucky to him and to the TRS party on number of occasions since then.

In view to play key role at the Centre, KCR had handed over the responsibility of winning 16 LS seats to the leaders hailing from respective districts.

He had given the responsibility of winning of Karimnagar Parliament constituency to Health Minister Eatala Rajendar, who had hit double hat-trick by winning as an MLA for six consecutive times from Huzurabad constituency.

Sparing no effort, from the time of announcement of candidature of B Vinod Kumar as TRS Karimnagar Lok Sabha candidate, the Health Minister strove hard with road shows, addressing a large member of meetings along with coordinating with the party leaders. However, the TRS lost in Karimnagar.

In a short interview with the Health Minister, Hans India tried to find out the reasons for debacle of TRS in Karimnagar.

What were the reasons you think resulted in the defeat of TRS party?

Minister Eatala: Those were Parliament elections which would be completely different from Assembly elections. Many factors contributed to the defeat of TRS in Karimnagar. After analysing, we realised that communalism, casteism and money were some of the reasons which resulted in defeat of TRS.

Lack of coordination, internal differences within the party said to be reasons for the defeat of TRS in Karimnagar. Is this true?

To some extent. If the party cadre including the MLA's would have put up a spirited fight, same like that how they fought for Assembly elections, the party would have won Karimnagar Parliament seat more easily securing majority of votes in all Assembly segments like that of Huzurabad constituency.

Huzurabad is one of the constituency in which TRS secured majority of votes. What would you say about this?

People had given TRS party a majority share of votes in my constituency, I am thankful to them. I always assured them that I am with there with them. People had taken every word of mine into confidence. And I am reiterating that I would stand by my word.

Do you think that both Congress and BJP had an understanding to defeat TRS?

Yes, both Congress and BJP supported each other's candidates right from selecting of seats to contesting in elections, to beat TRS candidates which benefited both the parties in different regions.

In Karimnagar, the Congress party candidate had lost hopes in midway which gave advantage to the BJP. Apart from that, the strong traditional vote base of TRS comprised of Hindus, Muslims and Dalits got divided between the three parties which benefited the BJP.

What would be the TRS party's next task? How it is going to maintain terms with the Centre?

Some leaders in the party are working against the party directions. They are targeting senior leaders fearing that they would not get recognition in their presence. They even targeted me during the Assembly election and tried hard to defeat me that is why, I have got less majority of votes. The party leadership will try to analyze all these problems and will come out with perfect answer in the coming days. CM KCR always believed in maintaining good terms with the Centre, whoever elections do not matter much. KCR will always fight in the best interest of Telangana and for the welfare of Telangana people.