Thousands gather for TRS meeting

IANS  |  Hyderabad 

Thousands of people from across were congregating at Kongara Kalan near here on Sunday for a public meeting being organized by the ruling Rashtra Samithi (TRS) amid talks of early Assembly polls.

Carrying pink flags and wearing pink scarves, the party workers were reaching the venue in a show of strength.

The party claims that 25 lakh people will turn up for the meeting, which, they say, will be the biggest mobilisation of people by any political party in the country.

Hundreds of buses, vans, tractor trolleys and cars carrying men and women from all 31 districts were heading to the sprawling venue in district. A lot of workers from Hyderabad, and surrounding districts were seen reaching the venue in motor bike rallies.

will address the public meeting christened 'Pragathi Nivedana' or progress report. He will be reaching the venue after presiding over a state Cabinet meeting, which is likely to decide on the dissolution of the state Assembly.

The cabinet is also expected to decide on offering some major sops for various sections of the people.

At the meeting, Rao will highlight the achievements of his government in the last four years.

The city has been painted pink by the TRS by putting up banners, flags, Rao's cut-outs, billboards, balloons and festoons on all roads leading towards the venue and at all intersections.

Officials said 7,200 out of 10,600 buses of state-owned State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) have been deployed to ferry people for the meeting. This is in addition to hundreds of private vehicles.

A thick security blanket has thrown around the 2,000 acre venue with the deployment of 20,000 police personnel.

As huge traffic jams are likely, those going to the have been advised to take alternate routes.

In a decision criticised by the opposition parties, Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has decided not to collect toll tax from the vehicles plying on Sunday.

The opposition parties have accused TRS of misusing for the political meeting but and Rao's son, has denied the allegations.

He said all expenses of travel and were being borne by the participants while the party was only taking care of logistics.

--IANS

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First Published: Sun, September 02 2018. 15:02 IST