KCR: The Tallest Leader of India's Youngest State

Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao, often known by his initials KCR, serves as the inaugural and incumbent Chief Minister of Telangana, the nation's youngest state. Mr. Rao, who guided his party to a resounding victory in the 2018 elections, faces yet another electoral challenge in November as Telangana gears up for polls on November 30.

Here are five key facts about KCR:

• K Chandrashekar Rao embarked on his political journey within the ranks of the Youth Congress Party before affiliating with the Telugu Desam Party in 1983. However, he departed from the TDP in 2001, accusing Chandrababu Naidu of discrimination against Telangana. Subsequently, he established the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and rekindled the statehood movement that had remained largely dormant since the late 1960s.
• He later formed an alliance with the Congress, which had pledged to support the creation of Telangana, and contested the 2004 Lok Sabha elections in collaboration with them. Yet, he severed ties with the Congress, alleging a lack of commitment to Telangana's formation. In 2009, his party allied with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) after the latter promised "unconditional support" for the formation of Telangana.
• In November 2009, KCR initiated a hunger strike demanding the introduction of the Telangana Bill in the Indian Parliament. After an 11-day fast, the central government granted approval for the establishment of Telangana as a separate state. However, it later cited the need for further consultations before the new state's formation.
• His unwavering pursuit of Telangana led to his party's significant electoral gains in the 2014 Andhra Pradesh assembly elections. When the new state was established, his party secured 11 out of 17 Lok Sabha seats and 63 out of 119 assembly seats.
• KCR assumed office as Telangana's first Chief Minister at precisely 12:57 pm on June 2, 2014. Mr. Rao, a devout adherent of astrology, numerology, and Vaastu, is said to have chosen this time for his inauguration based on guidance from priests to align with his auspicious number, 'six.'