In a surprising turn of events, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has given its nod to the Bhartiya Rashtriya Samithi (BRS) for the disbursement of funds under the Rythu Bandhu scheme merely six days before the crucial Telangana elections. The move has stirred the political landscape, especially as it directly impacts the fortunes of 58 lakh farmers set to receive financial aid from the KCR government on the 28th of November.
The ECI’s decision to allow BRS to implement their Rythu Bandhu scheme ahead of the scheduled time has dealt a significant blow to the Congress party. The approved scheme entails a monetary benefit of Rs. 5000 per acre for farmers, a move that could potentially sway sentiments in the ruling party’s favor.
According to the Election Commission, BRS is now permitted to disburse funds directly into the bank accounts of a staggering 58 lakh farmers before 5 pm on the 28th of November. However, the timing of this disbursement has raised eyebrows, considering the series of bank holidays leading up to the election day.
With the 25th of November being a bank holiday, followed by Sunday on the 26th and Gurunanak Jayanti observed on the 27th, the Rythu Bandhu scheme will be executed on the 28th, a mere 48 hours before the polling date on the 30th of November.
The pressing question now lingers: will this last-minute disbursement of funds prove to be a game-changer for KCR and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the upcoming 2023 elections? The timing of this move, strategically positioned just before voters head to the polls, adds an intriguing layer to an already fiercely contested political battle in the state.
