K Chandrasekhar Rao takes oath as Chief Minister of Telangana for second straight term

TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, who led his party to a resounding victory in the assembly elections, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Telangana for a second straight term on Thursday.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan at 1.30 pm.

On Wednesday, Rao was unanimously elected leader of the TRS Legislature Party by the newly-elected MLAs. The MLAs met at the Telangana Bhavan, the TRS headquarters in Hyderabad, and took the decision unanimously, party sources said.

In the December 7 elections, the TRS won 88 seats in the 119-member assembly, trouncing the Congress-led People's Front, which ended up with a tally of 21.

The police department on Wednesday issued a traffic advisory asking the public to avoid the Raj Bhavan road between 12 pm and 3 pm in view of the swearing-in of Rao, scheduled at 1.30 pm, and take alternative routes to their destinations.

The gazette notification by the Election Commission constituting the new assembly was issued during the day.

Earlier, talking to reporters after the TRS legislature party meeting, Rao said he was likely to take oath as Chief Minister on Thursday.

"Would like to take oath tomorrow. It is a good time also. But it is possible only when the Election Commission publishes the gazette. We will see what happens, by evening", he said.

Rao said he alone may take oath or with two other colleagues and the ministry can be expanded after 5-6 days.

Earlier, the caretaker Council of Ministers led by Rao tendered resignation to Governor ESL Narasimhan.

The Governor requested Rao to continue in office till the formation of a new government, according to a government order issued by the Chief Secretary. 

Addressing the media on Wednesday, the TRS Chief also made his national ambitions clear and gave a roadmap for a non-Congress, Non-BJP third front.

Replying to speculations of his enhanced role in the national politics and his vision for the same, KCR said, "At present no name has been decided for the national front. The national front with non-Congress and non-BJP will directly approach the people in the country. Both Congress and BJP have failed in the country. We need new economic development in the country."

"Rythu Bandhu scheme will be implemented in the whole country, after forming the third front. He also said that he is aware of all the budget details which are required to implement the Rythu Bandhu Scheme. There is no proper water system for farmers in the country," he said while sharing his vision for the national politics.

He also claimed that TRS is the first party to fulfil all the promises made in their manifesto.

(With agencies)