PM Modi takes dig at KCR for early Assembly polls in Telangana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a dig at Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for dissolving the state Assembly much before the completion of its term and asked if astrologers advised him to do so since the BJP could have swept the polls if the Assembly and the Lok Sabha elections were held together.

"In the last assembly elections, you gave the verdict. But what has happened? The haste shown in conducting the elections was not shown in expanding the Cabinet. Astrologers advised him (KCR) for early elections. Were the same astrologers responsible for stalling the formation of the Cabinet," asked Prime Minister Modi while addressing an election rally here.

"On the astrologers' advice, the work delayed for a long time. If assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held simultaneously, the money could have been saved. Astrologers advised him to go for elections early because he knew that Modi would have swept the assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha polls. They were scared of facing assembly elections along with the Lok Sabha," said Prime Minister Modi.

"Who will decide Telangana's future--astrologers or people," he asked.

KCR dissolved the state assembly in September last year, eight months before the completion of its term. TRS bagged 88 seats in 119-member Assembly in the polls held in December last year.

Taking on the alliance between Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM in the state, the Prime Minister said: "KCR is a face of dynastic politics and appeasement politics. The alliance between TRS and AIMIM is for their own good and not for the welfare of the people."

TRS has extended its support to AIMIM for Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, which is currently held by Owaisi.

Prime Minister Modi also slammed KCR government for not allowing the benefits of Centre's schemes to reach the people of the state.

"We gave 1.50 crore concrete houses to the poor of this country but the government here said that they would give them flats. How many did actually get the flats? Ayushman Yojana is providing free healthcare to the poor of the country. However, the state government isn't allowing it to reach the people of this state," he said.

Mahbubnagar parliamentary constituency was won by TRS's Dr Azmeera Seetaram Naik in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"Whatever work we have done, we could have done more but the state government did not care. The situation is that the state government has expertise in putting its label on the policies of the Central government. That is okay but they should at least work," he said.

Taking a jibe at the opposition, Prime Minister Modi said: "Security, prosperity, and respect are three aspects of our model. On the other hand, they don't have a leader, policies. The country is well aware of their intentions. Those who only take care of their family's interests cannot help poor."

Hailing his policies against terrorism, Prime Minister Modi said: "You no longer hear the news of bomb explosions as your used to hear five years ago. Terrorism is now confined to J & K. They get a befitting reply if they try to cross the boundaries. Terrorism was spread across the country. Everyone feels safe now. It is because the 'Chowkidaar' is alert."

Telangana, which has 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, will vote in the first phase of elections on April 11. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.