An overly enthusiastic statement made by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and Telangana State Finance Minister T Harish Rao on Sunday has cost his party and uncle K Chandrasekhar Rao dearly in the upcoming assembly elections in three days.
The BRS, aiming to gain significant political advantage through the disbursal of financial assistance under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, received a rude shock on Monday when the Election Commission of India (ECI) sent a letter withdrawing permission granted to the scheme earlier.
Apparently, the EC took a serious view of a public statement made by State Finance Minister T Harish Rao on Sunday, stating that the disbursement of Rythu Bandhu funds would occur on Monday.
Rao confidently mentioned that the amount would be credited into farmers' accounts even before they complete their breakfast, causing unease in the Congress camp.
On November 24, the ECI had given clearance for the disbursal of Rythu Bandhu assistance to farmers after receiving a representation from the state government on November 18.
However, the EC withdrew the permission on Monday, citing the clear violation of EC conditions by Harish Rao's public announcement.
In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj, ECI Principal Secretary Avinash Kumar stated that the minister's statement was in violation of the EC's conditions, as the state was asked not to publicize the Rythu Bandhu funds' disbursement while the model code of conduct was in force.
"The permission granted for the Rythu Bandhu scheme shall stand withdrawn with immediate effect till the model code of conduct ceases to apply in all its forms," the EC official said in the letter.
Under the scheme, the state government was set to transfer Rs 4,000 per acre directly into the accounts of every farmer. The first installment for Kharif-2023 was disbursed in June this year. About Rs 7,300 crore was expected to be deposited into the bank accounts of over 65 lakh farmers in the next couple of days, providing significant political mileage to the BRS.
However, Harish Rao's statement has reset the situation. Although BRS leaders attempt to blame the Congress, the EC letter clearly stated that permission was being withdrawn solely due to the minister's statement.
