One politician who is very hopeful of getting either a ministry or the chairpersonship of the Dalit Bandu scheme is Khammam district’s Sandra Venkata Veeraiah. He has been aspiring for a ministerial post for the past several months. In fact, Sandra, a staunch TDP leader who had won three times as the TDP legislator, had joined the TRS only on the assurance of being made a minister.
As part of the deal, he had joined the other TDP MLA in Telagnana – Mecha Sambasiva Rao – in the TRS. He was promised a minister’s post. However, though he had accomplished the task given to him, he was not made a minister. It has been almost two years, but KCR is yet to fulfil his promise. Meanwhile the Huzurabad elections have come as a god-sent for Sandra. Now the TRS chief is after the Dalit vote. He is moving heaven and earth to grab every Dalit vote.
The ambitious Dalit Bandhu too is part of the same election strategy. KCR wants an acceptable Dalit face for heading the Dalit Bandhu scheme. Sources said that he is actively considering the name of Sandra. The MLA too is said to have told his supporters that he is likely to be made a minister and if not, he would be made the chairperson of the Dalit Bandhu, which too is a cabinet rank post.
But, there is one important question. What about seniors like Tummala Nageswara Rao and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy? They have been around for quite some time and need to be rehabilitated. In fact, Ponguleti had to sacrifice his sitting seat for Nama Nageswara Rao. So, he needs to be quickly rehabilitated. Will they take it kindly if Sandra is rehabilitated and they are left out? Well! The ball is in KCR’s court.
