The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : High drama near KCR’s house

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Monday, Jun 02, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

High drama near KCR’s house

Special Correspondent

Rumours of his resignation trigger self-immolation bids

- Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

The aftermath: A TRS activist tries to immolate himself in front of party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s residence in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: High drama was witnessed in front of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s residence here on Sunday afternoon as a few party activists doused themselves in kerosene in the wake of rumours that Mr. Rao had offered to step down from the presidentship in the wake of the setback suffered by TRS in byelections.

The scenes unfolded as Mr. Rao remained indoors at home and kept meeting leaders who called on him. He refused to come out even when the crowd shouted slogans seeking an audience with him.

As soon as the youth emptied cans of kerosene on their person, party leaders were quick to splash water on them. The leaders and police who rushed there on a tip-off later cleared the entire crowd from the narrow lane, beside the Indo-American Cancer Research Centre in Banjara Hills.

Earlier, the crowd squatted in front of Mr. Rao’s house and raised slogans expressing solidarity with him. They wanted Mr. Rao to continue in the post.

The crowd walked to Mr. Rao’s residence from the TRS office, a short distance away, as news about the likelihood of his resignation was scrolled by TV channels. It was also rumoured that Mr. Rao was being persuaded by his colleagues not to take such a step. Enquiries by journalists who were gathered at the office revealed that the rumour was deliberately floated by leaders to light up excitement among the beleagured party cadre.

Speaking to media personnel later, T. Harish Rao who was elected from Siddipet, said the talk of resignation originated after party leaders came to know that Mr. Rao was anguished over the election results. There was no question of Mr. Rao giving up the post, he added.

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