BRS to go back on attack as good time' beckons

Hyderabad: The BRS will witness hectic political activity after the commencement of the auspicious 'Nija Shravana Masam' on August 17, two days after Independence Day, that will wind up with the conclusion of the election campaign towards the end of the year.

The party leadership is learnt to have decided to focus on 'Operation Akarsh' to woo major leaders from the Opposition parties, especially from the Congress, into its fold.

Incidentally, the first list of BRS candidates is expected to be released any day after August 17. Nija Shravana Masam stretches till September 5.

It is learnt that the party leadership will initially focus on senior Congress leaders from the undivided Medak district to some of whom it is believed to have made 'good’ offers for joining the BRS, including  an Assembly ticket, MLC nomination and Cabinet post. A similar strategy will be adopted in other districts, as well.

The strategy is to deal a blow to Congress and demoralise its leaders and cadre amid reports that the party was bouncing back following its spectacular victory in Karnataka.

The BRS leadership is also looking to rope in disgruntled leaders in the BJP.

The Chief Minister, who has been camping at his farmhouse in Erravelli since Wednesday, is reportedly finalising the first list of candidates. Although the surveys commissioned by him on party MLAs reportedly indicated that the performance of 51 of them was not up to the mark, Rao has decided to renominate a majority of the 104 legislators.

However, there are doubts about the fate of 20 MLAs, who figure in the 'worst performance’ category.  It is not clear whether Rao would prefer to replace all of them.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister is believed to have decided to resume tours to districts and hold public meetings from August 20.

Party sources said that he will cover all the districts in two phases in August and September prior to the issue of the poll notification, tentatively in October.

Rao will highlight the recent decisions of the state government to implement crop loan waiver scheme of up to Rs 1 lakh each, distribution of Rs 1 lakh each to beneficiaries under BC Bandhu and Minority Bandhu schemes, Rs 3 lakh financial assistance under Gruha Lakshmi scheme, regularisation of VRAs and JPSs and absorbing TSRTC employees into the state government.

The Chief Minister is expected to declare interim relief IR) for state government employees and pensioners during the auspicious month and make an announcement on constituting a new PRC to revise salaries and pensions.