Poll code hits Telangana Rashtra Samithi plans hard

Hyderabad: The election code of conduct coming into force even before the election notification has dashed the hopes of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti to gain political mileage from government sops. Caretaker ministers and TRS leaders in the districts had planned to participate in a programme to distribute Bathukamma saris to 50 lakh women from October 12. Distributing Rythu Bandhu cheques for Rs 4,000 per acre per season to 58 lakh farmers was lined up for November.

Official sources said that while these schemes can go ahead since they are not new, ministers or TRS leaders will not be allowed to take part. Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Sharma has already written to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking clarification on this issue. State government officials and staff will now have to distribute the saris and cheques.

Moreover, the state government’s Telangana Brahmin Samskshema Parishad issued an official release on Friday stating that, “In view of enforcement of model code of conduct by ECI from September 27, the proposed job mela on September 30 at Parishad’s office has been postponed and the same will be conducted after Assembly elections.” 

Similarly, the cheque distribution function by the hands of minister K.T. Rama Rao to the beneficiaries under BEST scheme scheduled on September 28 has also been postponed. Last year, the Chief Minister, ministers and TRS MLAs distributed the Rythu Bandhu cheques and Bathuka-mma saris, which was good publicity for the ruling party. 

The Congress party is keenly aware of the issue. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee treasurer and AICC member Gudur Narayan Reddy has written to the state’s election officer Rajat Kumar reminding him that “In view of election model code, the EC should ensure that the CM, ministers or any functionaries of the TRS are strictly prohibited from participating in saris distribution programme. The cover of Bathukamma saris carries a picture of the caretaker Chief Minister. The EC should ensure that no picture, flag or symbol or pink colour is used anywhere in the saris distribution programme.”