KCR declined an invite to Amit Shah's event today. (File)
Telangana today celebrated, depending on one's political persuasion, the state's 'integration' to the Indian Union or 'liberation' from the rule of the Nizam. While Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao or KCR celebrated 'Telangana National Integration Day', a few kilometers away Union Home Minister Amit Shah celebrated the same historical event but under a very different name: 'Hyderabad Liberation Day'.
A day that marks the integration of Hyderabad state to the Indian Union in 1948 bears witness to what a combative KCR calls the BJP's "divisive agenda". The BJP's political ambitions are not lost on anyone: with a weakened Congress unable to challenge the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the BJP sees a glimmering opportunity in Telangana.
Instances of the Centre and state not seeing eye-to-eye have become more common in recent months, however, today's events are significant. While Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao raised the national flag in Public Gardens, Nampally celebrating 'Telangana National Integration Day', 7 km away from him at Secunderabad, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also unfurled the national flag marking 'Hyderabad Liberation Day'.
At his rally, Amit Shah invoked Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India and said that if not for him, Hyderabad would have taken many more years to get liberated.
"After so many years, there was a desire in this land that the Hyderabad Liberation Day should be celebrated with the government's participation. But unfortunately, 75 years are over and those who ruled this place could not dare celebrate Hyderabad liberation day due to vote bank politics," Mr Shah said.
He said that many people had promised during elections that they would celebrate Liberation Day. "But when they came to power, due to the fear of Razakars they turned back ... They still have fear. I want to tell them, remove fear from your heart and Razakars cannot take decisions for this country as it got independence 75 years ago," Amit Shah said.
KCR, who declined an invite to Amit Shah's event today, asked why the BJP was not celebrating the integration of Gujarat's Junagadh to India on November 9 and only "wants to focus on Hyderabad".
At his rally, KCR said that Telangana had come a long way in the last eight years, adding that they had to fight for the rights, dignity, and self-respect for the people of Telangana.
"We should not have the same situation again ... As the person who brought you Telangana, it is my primary duty to warn you to not allow this land to get into the same chaos ... We need to march forward towards progress," KCR said.
He added that religion was being misused to divide people and that "opportunists are trying to disrupt peace. We need the same kind of struggle again to protect our values."
Both the BJP and the TRS intend to have year-long celebrations with KCR announcing that it is kicking it off with a three-day massive festival. Both have tagged it to the ongoing celebration of 75 years of Independence.
This aggressive competitive politics being played out today as the two leaders addressed separate public rallies and carry out independent celebrations.
KCR's three-day celebration of Telangana National Integration Day, which began yesterday with rallies being taken out by students, women and youth groups in constituency headquarters, has included him unfurling the national flag at the Central Lawns in Nampally's Public Gardens today. Simultaneously, ministers also unfurled the national flag and took salute at all district headquarters.
The chief minister also formally inaugurated two Bhavans, Sevalal Banjara Bhavan and Kumaram Bheem Adivasi Bhavan, after Sevalal Maharaj and Kumaram Bheem who were Telangana icons.
A colourful massive rally was also organised displaying Girijan and Adivasi artifacts which will culminate in a public meeting at NTR Stadium.
Tomorrow, cultural programmes will be organised, and freedom fighters and artists will be facilitated.
On the other hand, Amit Shah's day-long visit for 'Hyderabad Liberation Day includes floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India who had unfurled the national flag after Hyderabad acceded to India.
Amit Shah was joined by the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Both states include parts that ceded from the former Hyderabad state. Another important aspect that the two states share is that they are governed by the BJP.
A cultural programme in the evening follows Mr Shah's unfurling of the national flag at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad. Mr Shah will also distribute "free divyang aids, appliances ... and mechanised sanitation equipment to schools" at Classic Gardens, Secunderabad to mark Narendra Modi's birthday.