Netas don’t spare festivals

Hyderabad: Even before the flexis of various political parties conveying Sankranti greetings could be cleared, more such banners carrying Shivaratri wishes have come up at Shiva temples and other places.

With elections round the corner, representatives of political parties in the city are utilising every occasion to promote themselves. Marredpally, Shanker Mutt, Malkajgiri and many areas with Shiva temples or areas organising "jagrans" are sporting posters for the occasion.

The lane near Gokul Chat in West Marred pally has a poster of Dr P. Shankar Rao, ex Congress MLA of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board, along with corporator, B. Saritha Yadav, and a few representatives of Congress.

The whole street, meanwhile, still has small posters with pictures of BJP representatives along with the party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, wishing the locals on Sankranti. Even outside Shanker Mutt, there are huge posters on the same theme.

"Apart from focusing on the festivals, many of the corporators, MLAs and ex MLAs use this as a medium to promote party activities. Shivaratri is for Lord Shiva, but even politics is entering these elements," said Ankita Kothwal, a student.

Some politicians also use these banners to promote their children and introduce them into the political scene. "It is a very common affair with TRS, wherein both Kavita and KTR, children of party chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, are on every poster. This is the case with not just the TRS president, but with many other party leaders. The posters also have other leaders of the locality and youth association members. We often have to bear with such banners. Sometimes, these banners are even tied outside our apartment," said Sreesha Rao, a teacher.