Hyderabad: With Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections round the corner, the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has turned every road in Hyderabad pink by putting hoardings boasting about government's achievements. Winning GHMC elections is important for TRS as well as a matter of prestige for Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.
In an attempt to woo voters, the government is not only publicising its work but also showering gifts in the name of new projects and schemes.
But it's now publicity blitzkrieg by ruling TRS on Hyderabad roads. Giant sized hoardings and posters with picture of K Chandrashekhar Rao boasting about various welfare schemes can be seen across junctions and bus stands in the city. Some of the schemes are 24-hour power supply, old age pensions, Shaadi Mubarak scheme for brides from minority community, 2-bedroom house for poor.
To win the city's civic body polls, Rao has waived off Rs 455 crore water charges due in GHMC since 1989. He has also reduced property tax to benefit over 3 lakh families and increased the salary of outsourced staff. He has also distributed free dustbins to 42 lakh household as part of the 'Swacch Hyderabad' initiative.
His son and IT Minister KT Rama Rao said, "We have done a lot for Hyderabad. From world class roads to 24-hour power supply. People will see the work done in 18 months and surely vote for us."
This is the first election for municipal body in Hyderabad after bifurcation. In a bid to woo voters, ministers in the TRS-led government is on inauguration spree in view of GHMC election.
In the last few weeks, government has inaugurated 2-BHK houses for lower income group, laid Foundation stone for multi-level flyover project, inaugurated Japanese Park and Rose Garden for public and also laid foundation stone for new sports complex and model market at Sanathnagar.
The opposition has attacked the government calling it a poll gimmick and not delivering on many promises. The opposition parties are calling the publicity campaign by the ruling TRS party as a sheer wastage of money.
Launching an all-out attack on the KCR government, Congress leader Shabbir Ali said, "He is a dictator. Farmers are dying, there is no water for people. But Rao wants his hoardings at every corner. TRS has put 9,000 hoardings. This much money only they can waste."
For each of the 150 wards, an MLA, MP, MLC and a minister has been made in-charge to oversee the campaign. The TRS is making all efforts to win the maximum number of seats and prove its domination in Telangana. Even though Rao won Assembly and Lok Sabha election held in 2014 and subsequent bypolls, the TRS could not make an impact in Hyderabad.
The ruling TRS is now taking all advantage of being in power to sweep the GHMC elections. Promoting welfare schemes and showering gifts are being used as strong poll weapon, but will the party's strategy turn into votes. But people are happy as many of these projects even after completion, were awaiting formal inauguration for many years.
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