The recently launched Rythu Bandhu scheme is considered to be a game changer for the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government headed by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and is expected to fetch a lot of political mileage to the ruling party in the next elections.
However, ground reports indicate a different scenario. While the scheme was lauded as the unique one in the country, it benefitted only big farmers and lakhs of tenant farmers depending on agriculture have got no benefit. They are now revolting against the TRS government.
Sources said KCR received intelligence reports that it is not going to be so easy for the TRS in the next elections.
There is a lot of anti-incumbency wave against the TRS and at least 40 MLAs, and include those who won on TRS tickets in the 2014 elections and those who defected to the ruling party from other parties, would have tough time in retaining their seats.
The TRS has 90 MLAs at present, including 36 defectors. Of them, only 40-50 MLAs have the potential of winning again, provided they work hard from now.
Regarding others, the chances of winning are bleak. This is contrary to his claims that the TRS would win 100 out of 119 assembly seats.
After seeing the reports, KCR has come to the conclusion that it is not advisable to give party tickets to all the sitting MLAs, as promised by him in the past.
However, he cannot say it openly now, because the moment he makes the announcement that he would not give tickets to 40-50 sitting MLAs, there is a possibility of large scale defection of them into other parties.
This will disturb the party rank and file before the elections and give a big body blow to the party. At the same time, he cannot take decisions at the last moment, because if he suddenly drops the sitting MLAs, he cannot find new candidates immediately. They need at least six months to build their hold in the constituencies.
So, it is a tricky situation for KCR!
