Karimnagar, KCR’s launchpad

​Huzurabad (Karimnagar): The launch of TRS government’s ambitious Rythu Bandhu, farmers’ investment support scheme, from Karimnagar district has a lot to do with, both sentimentally and politically, especially in the run-up to election year.

Karimnagar has always been Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s lucky mascot. His first public meeting christened as ‘Simha Garjana’ here way back in 2001 was a perfect launcher for his Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). The massive rally, not only attracted the attention of the people across Telangana region, but also ignited T-patriotism that was in hibernation for long.

Thereafter, KCR had performed a hat trick by winning three elections from Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat. After winning in 2004, he retained the seat twice winning by-polls in 2006 and 2008 within a span of four years. 

Karimnagar was also the host to KCR’s first official visit as the Chief Minister of Telangana. Against this backdrop, KCR has decided to launch one of his pet projects – Rythu Bandhu – that intended to provide agriculture investment of Rs 4,000 per acre to farmers, twice a year.

The launch of the scheme from Karimnagar has also a lot to do with KCR’s much-talked about foray into national politics. It’s speculated that KCR would contest the 2019 Parliament election from Karimnagar, from where he never lost. 

In 2009 elections, KCR elected to Lok Sabha from Mahbubnagar and although he was elected from Medak Lok Sabha seat in 2014, he vacated it enabling himself to hold Gajwel Assembly constituency.

With his hectic campaign for coalition of like-minded parties other than BJP and Congress, is picking pace, it appears but natural that KCR has zeroed in on to play active role in national politics from 2019 onwards.

It’s believed that launching of Rythu Bandhu scheme from Indira Nagar, a tiny village sandwiched between Huzurabad and Jammikunta, the two major towns of Karimnagar district, and the proposed public meeting could well be a prelude to next year’s elections. Moreover, the meeting venue falls under Huzurabad Assembly constituency, from where Finance Minister Eatala Rajender represents.

On the other hand, buoyant after the recent success of Praja Chaitanya Yatra and based on anti-incumbency factor, the Congress seems to be sensing an opportunity of a turnaround in Huzurabad seat.

Against this backdrop, the launch of Rythu Bandhu scheme on May 10 reinforces the sentiment. Eatala Rajender said: “Karimnagar is KCR’s sentiment since he started the agitation for Telangana statehood in 2001. Whatever programme started from the district was a huge success.” He along with MP B Vinod Kumar inspected the public meeting venue at Indira Nagar on Monday.

Meanwhile, it’s learnt from the administration that though the public meeting is scheduled at Indira Nagar, the Chief Minister will distribute Rythu Bandhu cheques and pattadar passbooks to farmers of Dharmarajupalli village under Huzurabad mandal. The officials said that Dharmarajupalli was chosen as its land records are clean. In all, 275 farmers, who hold 527 acres, will get the scheme benefit costing Rs 21.08 lakh. 

It may be noted here that initially the programme was planned at Dharmarajupalli but due to some reasons the venue was changed to Indira Nagar.