Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao shares a special bonding with former president Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away a couple of days ago. Their bonding strengthened with KCR’s Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) forging an alliance with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Since then, Pranab had been favourable to formation of separate Telangana.
In 2004, Pranab Mukherjee played a key role in allocation of various ministries to the alliance partners. In his book, Pranab mentioned that KCR had told him that formation of separate Telangana was always on the top of his agenda.
Incidentally, separate Telangana became a reality when Pranab was the President of India and KCR became its Chief Minister.
Whenever Pranab came to Hyderabad for his southern sojourn at Rahstrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad, KCR used to extend a warm welcome to him and touch his feet out of respect. At the same time, KCR used to ensure that all arrangements were done for his comfortable stay at the Residency House, the official retreat of the President in Bollarum, near Hyderabad.
During Pranab’s stay in Hyderabad, once he even visited the Yadadri temple accompanied by KCR.
KCR also invited him for the five-day Chandi Yagam performed at his agriculture farm in Erravelli. However, Pranab cancelled his visit in the last minute for security reasons following a minor fire mishap at the yagasala.
