In Telangana, the power structure is clear. KT Rama Rao has been appointed as the working President of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). He will assume responsibilities in the new role on December 17.

This is the first major decision taken by the Chief Minister and TRS chief, K Chandrasekhar Rao within a day after being sworn-in for a second term on Thursday along with Mahmood Ali, the only Minister who was sworn-in along with KCR.

KCR said he will play a bigger role in national politics, while the party’s affairs, strengthening and growth will be handled by the former IT and Industries Minister, KTR.

The 42-year-old KTR, son of the Chief Minister, performed well in the recent elections, where the TRS swept the opposition Praja Front bagging 88 of the 119 seats in the Assembly.

During the elections, KTR was given the responsibility in Hyderabad and urban pockets, where his connect with the electorate resultedin the party bagging 16 of the 26 seats, while the alliance party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Asaduddin Owaisi won 7 seats.

In political circles, KTR is viewed as the ‘CM-in-waiting’, as the 64-year-old KCR hits the national political arena with AIMIM chief Owaisi in efforts to form a non-BJP, non-Congress political front.

It also means, that KTR will lead the TRS into the upcoming Lok Sabha as well as local body elections in the State.

Following the appointment, KTR made quick moves. He called on T Harish Rao, 6 times MLA from Siddipet, who won with the highest majority of over a lakh votes and was Irrigation Minister in KCR’s first term. Speculation was always rife in political circles that Harish, a nephew of KCR with a strong base and following in rural areas was a rival in the top leadership stakes.

Getting assurance of full support from Harish Rao, will be a critical factor for the smooth performance for KTR in the near future. To ensure complete acceptance, KCR clarified the role of KTR, specially created in the party at the Working Committee meeting at the Telangana Bhavan this evening.

The CM said that he would also oversee the major mission programmes — Kakatiya, Bhagiratha, Haritha Haram, Kaleswaram irrigation project — and fulfilling poll promises.

During his first term as the CM, KCR made several moves that gave credence to the growing role for his son by entrusting him with important portfolios. Seizing the opportunities, KTR made the best with his affable and approachable disposition that won him praise with the urban, corporate and at national and international fora.

At the same time, given the task to lead the party in the polls to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in 2016, KTR turned in a stunning performance as the TRS took the local bodies by storm.

It is pertinent to note that in the 2014 elections, when TRS got 63 seats, its performance in Greater Hyderabad area was below average, winning just a couple of seats.

It will be interesting to see how KTR will don the mantle to shape a political party and fight it out in the rough and tumble of electoral politics and emerge stronger.

The questions that arise are, what role will KCR give to Harish Rao, and will KTR hold a position in the Cabinet, which is expected to be announced on December 16.

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