AP CM Jaganmohan Reddy made a big political step to counter the BJP’s ‘Sticker CM’ allegations against him. He renamed farmers investment support scheme as ‘YSR Rythu Bharosa PM Kisan Yojana’. This is undoubtedly done following allegations by BJP AP President Kanna Lakshminarayana that Jagan became just like Chandrababu Naidu in claiming central schemes as their own. Naidu never tried to give any credit to BJP but now Jagan made a difference.
With this, CM Jagan has also become one step closer to the Modi-Shah duo. Analysts say that Jagan has clearly broken a tradition where State governments never give advantage to Centre in welfare schemes. However, Kanna’s one suggestion was not completely implemented. Kanna actually requested for using Modi’s name in Rythu Bharosa.
Interestingly, AP will not give Rythu Bharosa amount in one go. The amount is increased from Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 13,500 with State contributing Rs. 7,500 and Centre Rs. 6,000. This will be given in three installments. Jagan has proposed to give Rs. 7,500 to farmers in May, Rs. 4,000 in October and Rs. 2,000 in Sankranthi. Centre is also giving its component in three installments. Reports say that Jagan made a smart move to make the entire Bharosa funds look like his government’s support to the farmers.