Retired IPS officer of Telangana Dr R S Praveen Kumar, who entered the state politics with a bang by joining the Bahujan Samaj Party at a massive public meeting at Nalgonda on August 8, has become unusually silent afterwards.
There has been no further activity from his side – not even a press statement on the launch of Dalit Bandhu scheme by Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao or his future course of action.
Maybe, Praveen Kumar has been advised rest for a couple of weeks as he was detected Covid-19 positive after the Nalgonda meeting. Or he might be silently working out his future strategies.
In any case, his silence has given rise to a lot of doubts.
There is a talk in political circles that Praveen Kumar’s entry into politics might be part of the strategy of KCR to divert the attention of the people.
According to sources in New Delhi, KCR has an understanding with Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati to split the opposition votes in the state so that the TRS will retain its hold.
Praveen Kumar has entered into politics with the slogan of achieving power to Bahujans.
“Being an IPS officer, he must be definitely aware that it is impossible to come to power in the state with just Dalit votes. He has to have the support of all sections of people, including upper castes,” an analyst said.
He pointed out that in Uttar Pradesh, too, the BSP had come to power in the state in the past with the support of the Congress and the BJP.
“Now, Mayawati has been banking on the support of upper caste Brahmins, who dominate the state politics. How can Praveen expect to come to power by taking up a blatant anti-upper caste stand?” the analyst asked.
Sources from New Delhi said there is every possibility that Praveen Kumar might have entered politics only as part of KCR-Mayawati understanding.
“If he can split the Dalit votes to a considerable extent, it would ultimately benefit the TRS. Maybe, Praveen Kumar is looking for a long-term benefit from the TRS-BSP understanding,” the sources added.