Hyderabad: Wading into the speculated power struggle between irrigation minister T. Harish Rao and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao over the succession issue in the TRS, the Congress leaders said the tussle between the two leaders could deepen in the future.

“According to the irrigation minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao would continue to be the Chief Minister for the next 20 years. This means Harish Rao doesn’t like IT minister K.T. Rama Rao taking over the reins after KCR... His intention is clear that it should be either KCR or himself,” said Telangana Congress working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

He was addressing students during a function organised to mark the 36th Foundation Day of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) at Gandhi Bhavan here on Sunday.

Mr Vikramarka said internal differences between TRS leaders are bound to rise in coming days and the Congress leaders should be vigilant on the developments in the ruling party.

Former Union minister Sarve Satyanarayana, however, said there are attempts to make Harish Rao a loner to drive him away from the TRS.

Referring to Harish Rao’s statement that Congress would not win even minimum Assembly seats to claim the main Opposition Party status, Mr Satyanarayana said Mr Harish Rao was indirectly telling people that he wished joining in the Congress to become its leader and the Chief Minister.

The Congress leaders have also criticised the Chief Minister and on his family Members for “looting” the state and making themselves wealthy.