KCR, Naveen for unification of regional parties to counter BJP, Cong

TRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Sunday said there was a need for unifying regional parties in the country, as he met BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Both the leaders met at Naveen Niwas, residence of Naveen Patnaik, to build a consensus on brining regional parties together.

"There is a dire need for the unification of regional parties in the country. We strongly believe that there has to be an alternative to BJP and Congress," said Rao.

He said they have just begun the dialogue.

"It is certain that the country needs a change, qualitative change for which dialogue has begun. We are making our efforts. However, nothing has come out concrete now," said the TRS president.

"We have just begun the dialogue. We need to talk with more leaders. We just started the dialogue and we will meet again to discuss how to take things forward. There is a need to talk to some more people," said Rao.

On allegations that he is the B-team of BJP, the TRS president said that it is the big joke of the country.

"Narendra Modi in Hyderabad said I am the B-team of Congress while Sonia and Rahul (Gandhi) alleged me as the B-team of BJP," said the Telangana Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "We discussed several things including friendship among the like-minded parties."

Telangana Chief Minister said he supports the move of Odisha Chief Minister on 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.

He also praised Naveen Patnaik for his recent KALIA scheme for farmers and other social welfare schemes.

--IANS

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