BRS MLAs get KCR-mark dressing down over misuse of Dalit Bandhu, ticket squabbles

HYDERABAD: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) National President and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) on Thursday gave a dressing down to party MLAs over the alleged misuse of the Dalit Bandhu scheme in some places and the disputes over the party tickets for the next elections.

Addressing the plenary session of the BRS at Telangana Bhavan here on the occasion of party’s Foundation Day, KCR made the sensational claim of having the list of MLAs who are collecting Rs 2 to 3 lakhs, thus misusing the Dalit Bandhu scheme in the state.

“I have the list of MLAs who are resorting to such malpractices. Treat this as my last warning. If this gets repeated, forget about their renomination in elections, they will have to leave the party immediately,” KCR thundered at the meeting.

“Please assume, even if your followers indulge in such collections, you will be held accountable for it,” the BRS supremo said in no uncertain terms. KCR also came down heavily on the disputes surrounding the party tickets for the impending elections. He touched upon the turf war in the Station Ghanpur Assembly constituency between Kadiyam Srihari and Tatikonda Rajaiah and served a mild warning to the two leaders.

“All the leaders should come together to work for the party without giving scope for personal egos,” he commented while making it clear that party was more important than individuals.

“I know who should be rewarded with the party tickets. Why should there be skirmishes on this? Don’t resort to public spats hurling accusations against each other, if there are similar issues in other constituencies as well, please bring them to the notice of the party leadership,” the BRS chief advised. He appealed to them to keep elections as their target and work towards a good show by the party.

On the other hand, KCR exuded the confidence that the BRS would retain power in Telangana by winning at least 100 Assembly seats in the next elections.