KCR Confident of BRS Securing Larger Majority Than 2018
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s unwavering assurance of maintaining control for a third consecutive term resonates strongly as the upcoming Assembly polls draw near. In an impressive public gathering in Suryapet, Rao not only projected victory but also dared to predict a triumph by a larger margin compared to the 2018 elections. His assertive outlook wasn’t without substance – he confidently anticipated that the BRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) would claim five or six more seats than their previous achievement of 88 seats.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, Chief Minister Rao had a bag full of promises and plans for the state. One of the highlights was the announcement of an impending enhancement of the Aasara pension. While outlining his vision, he urged the people of Telangana not to be swayed by the “false promises” of the Congress party. He ridiculed their claim of increasing pensions to a lofty Rs 4,000 per month, labelling it a mere façade to garner votes. Rao reminded the audience of Congress’s past track record, where they had held power for fifty years, yet offered meagre pensions of just Rs 200 and Rs 500 per month. He cautioned the electorate not to fall for the allure of unrealizable pledges.
“Why,” he inquired, “is Congress not extending the Rs 4,000 pension offer to states like Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka, where they hold power?” Does their policy change based on geography?” Chief Minister Rao’s rhetoric was clear – Congress, in his view, was weaving a web of deceit to gain power.
Drawing a comparison between the Congress’s promises and the accomplishments of the BRS government, Rao proudly enumerated their achievements. Under his leadership, the Kalyana Lakshmi scheme had seen an impressive leap from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The Aasara pensions, too, had doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. Rao firmly stated that the state’s increasing wealth was being directed towards its citizens’ welfare. He left the crowd eager for more as he promised further enhancements to the Aasara pension and additional schemes.
Taking a stern tone, Rao warned that if Congress were to regain power, the state would be plunged into what he called “dark days.” He cited the example of Karnataka, where Congress was recently voted in, and how power shortages had become a persistent woe. In contrast, he touted BRS’s continuous provision of 24-hour power across all sectors in Telangana.
Another battleground of promises centered around agriculture and free power. Rao lambasted both Congress and BJP for their stances on this critical issue. Congress’s promise of three hours of free power for agriculture was deemed inadequate, while BJP’s inclination toward installing electricity meters on agriculture borewells met stern opposition from Rao, who stressed that BRS was committed to providing round-the-clock free power to agriculture. He urged voters to decide between BRS and opposition parties regarding free power for farmers.
One of the keystones of Chief Minister Rao’s address was his fervent defence of the Dharani portal. He praised it for its success in eliminating corruption and introducing transparency in land registrations. Rao chided Congress for suggesting the abolition of the portal, warning that this move would reintroduce intermediaries and corruption. He highlighted how Dharani had shifted power to the people by enabling them to change land records with their thumbprints at registration offices, eliminating the previous bureaucratic hurdles and potential for manipulation.
Rao firmly emphasized that scrapping Dharani would jeopardize direct benefit transfers for crucial schemes such as Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy procurement. He cautioned that without the portal, citizens might be pushed to the edges of frustration, making rounds of officials, or even resorting to bribery to secure their rightful dues.
Amid his passionate address, Rao took the opportunity to inaugurate the Integrated District Collectorate Complex, district SP office, government medical colleges, and an integrated vegetable and meat market in Suryapet district. He further marked the occasion by inaugurating the BRS district office in Suryapet.
As the sun set on this eventful day, Rao’s rallying cry echoed in the hearts of the gathered multitude. The Chief Minister’s promises weren’t just about securing another term in power; they were about safeguarding Telangana’s growth and its citizens’ prosperity. With an unwavering vision and a steadfast commitment to progress, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao embarked on this electoral journey, confident that his path would lead to a brighter future for Telangana.