The first government of Telangana was formed on June 2, 2014, the day the state of Telangana officially came into existence after being bifurcated from Andhra Pradesh. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party, led by K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), won a decisive victory in the 2014 state legislative elections and took charge of the newly created state.

Key Highlights of the First Government of Telangana:

  1. Chief Minister:

    • K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) became the first Chief Minister of Telangana on June 2, 2014.
    • KCR was the leader of the Telangana statehood movement and founder of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). His leadership played a crucial role in the formation of the state, and he was widely recognized as the key architect of Telangana.

  2. Cabinet Formation:

    • Initially, KCR took the oath of office along with a small group of ministers. The full cabinet was expanded over time.
    • The first cabinet included prominent leaders such as Mohammed Mahmood Ali, who was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister and given the portfolio of Revenue.
    • Other key ministers were allocated portfolios such as Finance, Irrigation, Agriculture, and Education, which were critical areas of focus for the newly formed state.

  3. Key Focus Areas and Initiatives: The first government of Telangana under KCR focused on a number of welfare schemes, infrastructure development projects, and policies aimed at addressing regional imbalances and promoting economic growth.

    Some of the key initiatives launched during the first term include:

    • Rythu Bandhu Scheme: A pioneering welfare scheme providing direct financial assistance to farmers for investment in agriculture. This scheme became one of KCR's flagship programs and earned the TRS widespread support from the farming community.

    • Mission Bhagiratha: A large-scale drinking water supply project aimed at providing safe drinking water to every household in Telangana, especially in rural areas where access to potable water had been a long-standing issue.

    • Mission Kakatiya: A project to restore irrigation tanks and water bodies, focusing on improving water availability for agriculture and rural development.

    • KCR Kits: A maternity benefit program aimed at reducing infant mortality and promoting the health of newborns and mothers by providing financial assistance and medical supplies to pregnant women and new mothers.

    • Information Technology and Industrial Development: The government focused on making Hyderabad a hub for information technology and attracting investments in industries, especially through initiatives like TS-iPASS (Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self Certification System), which aimed to streamline business approvals and attract investments.

  4. Challenges Faced:

    • Water and Power Issues: Telangana faced significant challenges in terms of water-sharing disputes with Andhra Pradesh, particularly over the Krishna and Godavari rivers. The state also had to deal with a power deficit in its initial years.

    • Revenue and Financial Resources: As a newly formed state, Telangana had to focus on building its revenue base, developing infrastructure, and creating an independent financial framework, all while managing the initial economic challenges of bifurcation.

    • Hyderabad as Common Capital: Hyderabad was designated as the joint capital of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for 10 years, which created administrative complexities. Ensuring security and law and order in Hyderabad during this period was another priority.

  5. Governance Style:

    • KCR’s governance style was marked by a strong focus on rural welfare, state pride, and assertive leadership. His image as a decisive leader who had delivered Telangana resonated with the people, especially in the rural heartland.

    • The TRS government placed special emphasis on promoting the cultural heritage of Telangana, such as the celebration of Bathukamma (the state festival), and reviving Telangana’s distinct identity.

  6. Opposition:

    • In the early years of the first government, the Indian National Congress (INC) served as the main opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly. However, the Congress struggled to make significant political gains after the bifurcation, as much of the credit for the creation of the state went to KCR and the TRS.

    • Other opposition parties, such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which had a strong base in the Andhra region before bifurcation, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), played smaller roles in the initial political landscape of Telangana.

Legacy of the First Government:

The first government of Telangana under KCR laid the foundation for the state’s governance, development agenda, and welfare policies. By focusing on agrarian welfare, infrastructure development, and state pride, the TRS government under KCR was able to solidify its position as the dominant political force in Telangana. This helped the TRS secure a decisive victory again in the 2018 elections, further extending its hold on power in the state.