R.S. Praveen Kumar, who left the Indian Police Service to join the BSP, has been declared as the Chief Ministerial candidate by party chief Mayawati at a huge gathering in Hyderabad, Telangana on Sunday. Mayawati expressed hope that the BSP would form the government in Telangana, and the announcement was met with tremendous applause from the audience.

Dr R.S. Praveen Kumar, who acknowledged the applause, is expected to lead the party in the upcoming state elections. Party coordinator and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Ramji Gautam also attended the rally.

Mayawati emphasized that voting for the BSP is the way for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC and other minorities to lead a dignified life.

BSP believes in providing direct jobs 

Mayawati highlighted that the BSP believes in creating employment opportunities instead of providing unemployment allowances. She accused CM K.Chandrashekhar Rao of copying the BSP model by promising to provide Dalits with three acres of land for agriculture, but failing to follow through. In contrast, during the BSP's reign in Uttar Pradesh, they provided Pucca houses to people who did not have their own homes and waived the loans of many poor farmers who were unable to repay their debts.

Appeal to save the Constitution 

Mayawati delivered a veiled criticism at the BRS by stating that anyone dreaming of changing the constitution should be removed from power. She then took potshots at the state government, saying that they were forced to rename the Telangana Secretariat after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and erect a statue in his honor as the BSP was gaining more public support in the state.

 BSP's decline due to EVM

Mayawati attributed the declining performance of the BSP in Uttar Pradesh to the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). She argued that the BSP was not actually declining in the state, but rather, when voting was conducted through ballots, the party's graph was rising. However, after the introduction of EVMs, the party's fortunes have declined.

Congress Party worked against the Interests of SC/ST/OBC

 Mayawati acknowledged that Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar had created provisions for the upliftment of SC/ST/OBC communities but lamented that these sections still do not receive their due. She pointed out that Babasaheb had appealed to the Congress government led by Jawaharlal Nehru to establish a commission under Article 340 for reservation of OBCs, but he was forced to resign when the Congress did not accommodate his demands.

Who is R.S Praveen Kumar ?

Dr R.S. Praveen Kumar is a bureaucrat from the state of Telengana who announced voluntary retirement from the prestigious Indian Police Services to join Bahujan Samaj Party . While in service he was instrumental in the transformation of Social Welfare Residential Schools in the State. As a secretary of  Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS) and the Telangana Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Society (TTWREIS) he introduced programmes aimed at holistic development of the children like water sports, dance, horse riding etc. The students of the hostel even went to the extent of launching their own experimental payloads Swaero Sat 1 and Swaero Sat 2 to study atmospheric pollutants like Methane gas and carbon monoxide.   He has also been awarded with the President’s Police Medal  for his services in Police and also awarded the Telangana Excellence Award by the government of Telangana.   

Bahujana Rajyadhikara Yatra: creating ripples around the state 

After joining the BSP, Praveen was appointed as the state president of the party in Telangana. He then embarked on a Bahujana Rajyadhikara Yatra, which attracted a significant crowd. Many people believe that the yatra was instrumental in the BRS government's decision to erect a 125-foot statue of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar and name the Telangana Secretariat after him.

 BSP a mission of Social Change 

Last year, In an exclusive interview with  The Mooknayak he had said that BSP is not only a party but also a mission of Social Change and it will have its relevance till there is injustice and discrimination in the society.  He also said that the party workers of BSP are not at all disappointed by the party’s dismal performance in Uttar Pradesh.