The Political Trajectory of a Veteran Legislator
Errabelli Dayakar Rao's legislative career is notable for its longevity and success across different constituencies and political affiliations. From his formative years in the TDP to his pivotal role in the BRS, his journey reflects a remarkable political adaptability, anchored by a consistent focus on regional development and a decisive role in the Telangana movement.
Formative Years & Regional Advocacy
Born on August 15, 1956, in Parvathagiri, Warangal, his career is rooted in agriculture and social work. His political journey began in 1983 with the TDP, where he was a foundational member, even helping design the party flag. His early leadership was recognized with his election as DCCB Chairman in Warangal in 1984.
While in the TDP, he became a staunch advocate for the Telangana cause, making persistent efforts to persuade party leadership to support statehood. He made powerful public gestures, including visiting Osmania University—the epicenter of the movement—and protesting the Babli project to protect the region's water rights, leading to his arrest.
Electoral History
| Year | Election | Constituency | Party | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Assembly | Wardhannapet | TDP | Won |
| 1999 | Assembly | Wardhannapet | TDP | Won |
| 2004 | Assembly | Wardhannapet | TDP | Won |
| 2008 | Lok Sabha | Warangal (Lok Sabha) | TDP | Won |
| 2009 | Assembly | Palakurthi | TDP | Won |
| 2014 | Assembly | Palakurthi | TDP | Won |
| 2018 | Assembly | Palakurthi | TRS | Won |
| 2023 | Assembly | Palakurthy | BRS | Lost |
Ministerial Stewardship: Transforming Rural Telangana (2019-2023)
Palle Pragathi: A Paradigm Shift in Village Governance
Launched in September 2019, Palle Pragathi was designed to enhance quality of life and improve governance in Gram Panchayats. It evolved from addressing immediate needs to building long-term, sustainable capacity by providing assets like tractors to institutionalize sanitation and greening efforts.
| Phase | Timeline | Key Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Round | Sep 6 – Oct 5, 2019 | Cleaning roads and drains, identifying and filling low-lying areas, refilling wells, and conducting extensive plantation drives. |
| 2nd Round | Jan 2 – Jan 12, 2020 | Cleaning common areas, continuing plantation, and rectifying damaged electrical poles and wires. |
| 3rd Round | June 1 – June 8, 2020 | Cleaning government institutions and public places, ensuring safe drinking water supply, and implementing measures to prevent mosquito breeding. |
| 4th Round | July 1 – July 10, 2021 | Focusing on garbage segregation, Telanganaku Haritha Haram activities, and constructing village infrastructure like Vaikuntadhamams and dumping yards. |
| 5th Round | Started May 20, 2022 | Concentrating on sanitation, maintenance of created assets, organic fertilizer manufacturing, and approving new CC roads. |
Mission Bhagiratha: Delivering on the Promise of Potable Water
He oversaw the implementation of this ambitious program to provide safe, piped drinking water to every household. The project's massive scale, covering over 23,000 rural habitations with 150,000 km of pipelines, led to a significant decline in water-borne diseases and alleviated the daily burden on rural women.
Fiscal Governance and Developmental Allocations
A key indicator of the government's commitment under his leadership is the dramatic year-on-year increase in budgetary allocations for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development. The chart and table below illustrate this financial prioritization.
| Financial Year | Allocation (₹ in Crores) | Key Notes & Sub-Allocations |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 4,465 (RD Only) | Included ₹1,229 Cr from 14th FC and ₹819 Cr from SFC. |
| 2020-21 | 23,005 | Major surge in funding to align with Palle Pragathi launch. |
| 2021-22 | 29,271 | Highest allocation for any department. Included ₹5,761 Cr for Palle Pragathi. |
| 2022-23 | 31,426 | Again the highest allocation. Included ₹3,360 Cr for Palle Pragathi and ₹2,000 Cr for PR roads. |
Errabelli Dayakar Rao Charitable Trust
Empowering Youth: Skills and Employment
A primary focus of the Trust is creating pathways to self-reliance for the youth of Palakurthy through targeted skill development and employment initiatives.
- Mega Job Melas: Organized recruitment drives with over 80 companies to provide more than 14,000 job opportunities.
- Free Driving Licenses: Successfully provided 23,000 free driving licenses, equipping youth with a valuable skill.
- Coaching for Government Jobs: Consistently runs free coaching camps, with meals, for hundreds of aspirants annually.