HYDERABAD: TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR)  held a marathon meeting with ministers, MPs, and senior party leaders at Pragathi Bhavan on Friday to discuss the party's strategy for the July 18 presidential election, which is less than 20 days away. The deadline for filing nominations is June 29.

The CM is also said to be considering forming a new national political party, Bharatiya Rashtra Samiti (BRS), by the end of the month to provide an alternative political agenda for the country ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

He reportedly solicited a response from party leaders, who unanimously endorsed his plan and expressed entire support for the CM's involvement in national politics. The Chief Minister, who had been living at his farmhouse in Erravelli on the outskirts of town since Friday, returned to Pragathi Bhavan shortly after and convened the meeting.

All Cabinet ministers were present in the meeting, according to official sources, with the exception of Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who is on a trip to London with his family. There was no consensus on what position the TRS should take, and it was decided to hold more discussions after the names of the NDA and UPA candidates are known,  and what position the majority of regional parties take.

KCR to float national party Bharat Rashtra Samithi

Tamilisai Soundararajan is a likely presidential candidate.

Presidential elections: Country to get new president on July 21