Intense debate is on about the future political moves of controversial IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar. Praveen Kumar opted for voluntary retirement six years before his actual superannuation and the government has readily accepted his plea and relieved him from the services. The haste in which the government relieved him from the services has now given rise to speculations about his future activities.
Though he has in his resignation letter said that he would walk in the path of social justice as enunciated by Phule and Ambedkar, it is highly unlikely that he would start a new political outfit and try his luck in electoral politics. There is also a talk of his joining Aam Admi Party and form a broad Dalit-AAP alliance. But, even that seems to be improbable.
Sources say that the TRS has something up its sleeve on Praveen Kumar. If sources are to be believed, the party is likely to use him for a long-time plan. If he is pitted against Eatala at Huzurabad, his brand will lose its sheen regardless of whether he wins or loses. If he fails, his political career gets doomed. Assuming he wins and doesn’t do much as an MLA, the sheen will be off him. Both ways, Praveen Kumar as a weapon gets blunted.
The TRS feels that he should be used as part of a long-term strategy. Sources say that he would be encouraged to take up a padayatra on Dalit issues from Alampur, his home turf, to Adilabad. He would be made popular and an image of a crusader. Later he would be given party ticket to contest from Alampur and the TRS will use his image to project itself as a pro-Dalit party. This will help in polarising Dalit votes in its favour. The action plan, according to sources, would be implemented soon.
