Narasimhulu may head Dalit Bandhu
There is speculation within political circles that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao may make senior politician Motkupalli Narasimhulu chairman of Dalit Bandhu. The possibility gained currency after Narasimhulu, who has been with BJP, praised the Dalit Bandhu scheme under which identified Dalit families will get `10 lakh for utilising the amount to improve their economic status.
Leaders, who have recently quit BJP, levelled several allegations against the saffron party that it had failed in utilising the senior leader’s experience in strengthening the party in the state. Finding himself sidelined, Narasimhulu attended the Dalit Empowerment meeting at Pragathi Bhavan even though his party BJP had decided to boycott the programme. Not just that, he declared that Chandrasekhar Rao is the successor of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, for having initiated this unique project for Dalit empowerment.
Narasimhulu has also targeted former minister Etala Rajendar, who had been sacked from the TS cabinet following allegations
of land grabbing against him. The senior leader had objected to BJP taking Rajendar into its fold. There is thus speculation that TRS may rope in Narasimhulu for campaigning in Huzurabad by-election to get Dalit votes for the ruling party.
With all these developments, there is talk in both TRS and BJP that the ruling party will soon take the former minister on board the ruling party.
Narasimhulu had earlier served as minister within the erstwhile Telugu Desam government of AP. He had been elected six times as MLA from Alair and Thungathurthy constituencies. When TDP had been supporting the BJP-led government during 2014–2019 at centre, there had been speculation that he would be awarded a governor’s post.
After the former minister joined BJP, there had been similar expectations, but nothing of that sort happened, leading to Narasimhulu now singing praises of Dalit Bandhu scheme.
Sources say eventually, the leader wants to retire from politics with a good image and serve his community. He is hoping to be made chairman of Dalit Bandhu with a cabinet rank and end his political life in TRS.