Establishment of TRS
On April 27, 2001, Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) founded the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) at Jaladrushya, the residence of Konda Lakshman Bapuji in Hyderabad. The party’s primary goal was to achieve statehood for Telangana. Prof. Jayashankar, a key intellectual figure, provided ideological support to steer the movement in the right direction.
Significance of TRS
TRS filled the political void in the Telangana movement, uniting dissatisfied and frustrated people under a common cause. The party played a crucial role in advocating for Telangana’s statehood through democratic means, avoiding violence, and reinforcing the historical inevitability of a separate state.
Formation of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)
KCR’s Political Journey Before TRS
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Early Career:
- Began as a Youth Congress leader.
- Joined Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1983, founded by N.T. Rama Rao (NTR).
- Served as MLA from Siddipet for four consecutive terms (1985, 1989, 1994, 1999).
- Held key positions in TDP:
- Transport Minister (1996–1999).
- Deputy Speaker after the 1999 elections under Chandrababu Naidu.
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Discontent in TDP:
- Opposed Chandrababu Naidu’s “Vision 2020” document, which neglected SCs, STs, BCs, minorities, and Telangana.
- Resisted electricity tariff hikes in 2000, which burdened the common people.
- Released a public letter highlighting Telangana’s underdevelopment, sparking widespread discussions about the region’s future.
Call to Action
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Support from Influential Leaders:
- Santhapuri Raghuveer Rao, a veteran of the 1969 Telangana movement, encouraged KCR to join the cause in 2000.
- Prof. Jayashankar predicted that Telangana would be realized under KCR’s leadership, strengthening KCR’s resolve.
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Formation of TRS:
- KCR resigned from TDP, his Deputy Speaker post, and his MLA seat, demonstrating his commitment to Telangana’s cause.
- On April 27, 2001, he officially established TRS, adopting a pink flag featuring Telangana’s map as the party’s symbol.
- Within nine days, the party attracted 19 lakh members, reflecting its massive public support.