Vasalamarri, a typical KCR-style statement

Launch of Dalit Bandhu from Vasalamarri catches opposition, officials and beneficiaries unawares

Dalit Bandhu scheme design itself gave some jolt to the opposition parties preparing strategies for the Huzurabad bypoll but the bigger shock was the sudden announcement of the TRS government’s flagship scheme to begin at Vasalamarri, a village adopted by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in Aler constituency represented by Gongidi Sunitha. It was a typical KCR’s style statement that caught the opposition parties, officials, TRS leaders and even the beneficiaries unawares. He stamped validity to the decision immediately releasing the Government order after visiting the village on Wednesday at a short notice. The suddenness in the visit is quite unusual for a Chief Minister given the administrative and security logistics that go into any such visit. The Chief Minister has not only stumped the opposition parties that were critical accusing him of announcing the scheme to garner votes in the bypoll with government’s money but also checkmated those challenging it in the court under the pretext of misusing the CM’s prerogatives. Another apparent reason is that the CM has sensed the bypoll announcement coming soon from the Election Commission.