Telangana CM KCR meets Mamata Banerjee, says 'political change is needed'

Rao flew down to Kolkata to meet Banerjee to hold discussions over the formation of a third front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Interacting with media at state headquarters Nabanna, Rao said: "The nation needs a change. We will make federal, collective leadership."

"We are going to put forward a Federal Front. Something needs to be done now," he added.

Banerjee, who is one of the strong proponents of a united Opposition, told media that she wants federal front to be strong.

Regarding her meeting with Rao, the WB CM said: "It was a good beginning and we had a nice discussion. We discussed about the bigger developments of India as a nation,."

"There is not hurry. We will discuss wyth other parties also. We all need to work together," she added.

Rao's idea of the third front was earlier backed by Banerjee.

Rao, who is the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief, had expressed his wish to collude with non-BJP, non-Congress political outfits to form the third front.

Banerjee had also extended her support to Rao over telephonic conversation.

The meet between the two CMs has once again stirred the possibility of a third front or a collective Opposition ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Days ago, in order to reach out to the non-BJP political forces, Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi hosted a dinner in New Delhi where representatives of 19 political parties had attended.

Post by-polls defeats of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, fueling the speculations about the possible collective Opposition.