Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), who has been consistently in the headlines after the Centre announced statehood to Telangana, has been supported well by three young politicians, who are his kith and kin. They are his son KT Rama Rao, 38, daughter K Kavita, 35, and nephew T Harish Rao, 40.
Rama Rao is the MLA from Sirsilla in Karimnagar district. Being the son of KCR, the chief of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), he commands the second position in the party, after his father. He has worked as a techie in the US, prior to joining his father in the movement for Telangana statehood and now plays a key role in the Telangana Joint Action Committee, which is the platform of the struggle.
Rama Rao seems to be strategically planning to get the support of Telugu film industry, dominated by film personalities from coastal Andhra Pradesh, including several leading actors. On 3 March (Monday) Rama Rao extended his support to the film industry while participating at a program in Hyderabad, organised by AP Film Chamber of Commerce and his gesture has been welcomed by some of the members of the film industry as well. Rama Rao assured the film industry that there would be no trouble to them after the formation of Telangana state.
"We have to look at the future now. The film industry will have to develop more. No one should have any fears about the future of the film industry here," the Times of India quoted Rama Rao. It can be recalled here that TRS had protested against films and their makers whenever the Telangana region, its dialect or culture was portrayed even in a slight manner. Rama Rao also said whatever problems the film industry faced in the past was only because of the fight of the people for a separate Telangana state.
Another strong supporter of KCR is his nephew Harish Rao, the MLA from Siddipet. He is the familiar face of the party during agitations and media interactions. The vociferous leader is popular among the TRS activists. Harish Rao, 40, is the party's most visible face during agitations, courting arrests and clashing with the police. He is very vocal and was seen as KCR's successor till 2009, when the TRS chief launched his son, followed by daughter Kavita. Harish Rao, who is very popular among TRS activists, took that in his stride.
Another asset to TRS is KCR's daughter Kavita. She is the face of the party's women power. She has founded Telangana Jagruti outfit and has been promoting cultural activities of Telangana region. It is reported that she was seen as a strong contender to the then-TRS MP Vijayashanti, to contest the ensuing general elections. Vijayashanti, who was suspended from TRS, joined the Congress party recently.
