KCR's Silent Visit To King Koti Raises Speculation

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's secret, or rather silent, visit to the King Koti Palace has raised many speculations on his plans to take over the royal mansion which had once served as the residence of the VIIth Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan.

The Chief Minister had visited King Koti or Nazari Bagh Palace on Monday afternoon. Later, he also visited Erram Manzil. However, no official brief was sent by the Chief Minister's Office on KCR's visit.

According to sources, KCR is planning to acquire Nazari Bagh Palace to temporary relocate the Telangana High Court from the present building in the Old City.

He is believed to have discussed the proposal with Princess Esra Birgin, the wife of VIIIth Nizam Prince Mukarram Jah, who called on him on September 12.

Mir Osman Ali Khan moved in to the King Koti Palace when he was only 13. He continued to stay at the palace even after his accession to the throne in 1911, and did not move to Chowmahalla Palace where his father lived.

The palace has three main buildings, divided into two groups. It also has a huge library used by the last Nizam.

The Eastern Half or Osman Mansion was taken over by the then Chief Minister Marri Chenna Reddy in 1980 for the construction of the King Koti Government Hospital. The Western Half, which had the main residential buildings known as Nazari Bagh or Mubarak Mansion, still belongs to the Nizam’s private estate. It houses the offices of Sarf-e-Khas.

The last (VIIth) Nizam died in the Nazari Bagh building on February 24, 1967.

If KCR's reported plans work out, then another symbol of the Nizam's rule would be turned into a public property.

When contacted, officials have neither confirmed nor denied the Chief Minister's plan to take over the King Koti Palace. (INN)