How did Modi, ED cover up Revanth Reddy’s 100-day whimper

HYDERABAD: The Revanth Reddy Government, on March 15, completed 100 days. But what should have been celebrated with a bang ended up in a whimper for three reasons: 1. He could not implement all the pompously-announced six guarantees which he had claimed he would ensure; 2. The road-show of Prime Minister Narendra Modi; and 3. The arrest of BRS MLC Kavitha in Delhi Liquor Scam case.

Revanth Reddy had thundered that his government would implement all the six guarantees unveiled by the Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi at Tukkuguda public meeting September 16 last year in 100 days of assuming office.

Also Read: Harish Rao slams Congress for unfulfilled promises in last 100 days

But he could only enforce a few of them like free bus travel for women, free domestic electricity up to 200 units, Rs. 500 a gas cylinder, enhancement of Arogya Sri limit to Rs. 10 lakh and launching of the long-winding Indiramma indlu housing programme. More than half of those embedded in the Six Guarantees, however, were left unfulfilled or they are work in progress.

It's precisely for this reason that he kept the 100-day thunder on a low key without much ado.

What compounded the “missed promise” was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s premeditated plan of conducting a roadshow in Hyderabad and, of course, the arrest of BRS MLC Kavitha.

The arrest of Kavitha, no doubt, became the major news and naturally people forgot the 100 days promise. But, surely this will be reminded to the Congress time and again during the upcoming electioneering to the Lok Sabha polls in Telangana.

Also Read: ED finds Kavitha Kalvakuntla guilty of money laundering

Without delivering any speech or uttering a word, the Prime Minister conducted a 1.5-km-long road show in Malkajgiri Lok Sabha Constituency from where former Finance Minister Etala Rajender is contesting as the BJP nominee.

In fact, Etala Rajender had always insisted on the arrest of Kavitha and vowed that it would happen before the Lok Sabha elections. Though the BJP leaders may try to disown the credit, depicting it “just as a duty performed by the Enforcement Directorate”, it surely could be understood as part of a meticulous plan. For, the arrest was timed in a such a manner that it (was seen to it that) “happened” on the day before the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the general Elections 2024.

The arrest would hit the headlines was a foregone conclusion. Just to correct any possible slippage in this, the road show by the Prime Minister could balance it. The arrest seemed to be a “gift to Rajender by the Prime Minister.”

Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes part in Malkajgiri road show in Hyderabad

However, another interpretation is that the arrest was timed to coincide with the 100 days of Revanth Reddy as the Chief Minister not to overshadow his moment of glory, but to camouflage the failure of fulfilling the implementation of six guarantees within the stipulated deadline.

Or, should it be construed as an obvious “gift” to him, for clandestinely demonstrating his loyalty in the veil of being opposed to the Prime Minister?

Whatever, the denouement is that Kavitha’s arrest by the ED dominated the 100 days of Revanth Reddy.