TIRUPATI: Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) has postponed the election for its standing committee scheduled on October 4. The reason given for putting off the committee polls is that the annual Brahmotsavams of the Tirumala temple are scheduled to begin on the same day.
However, this has attracted criticism from corporators of the YSR Congress. They have accused the ruling parties in AP – TDP, Jana Sena and BJP – of using Brahmotsavams as a pretext to postpone elections for the standing committee, which takes key decisions on behalf of the Tirupati corporation.
YSRC corporators allege that the NDA alliance government partners have got the polls postponed in order to use the delay for manipulating the election outcome in favour of the ruling parties.
The MCT commissioner had earlier announced that nominations to contest as a member of the standing committee will be received on September 25 and September 26. When corporators of the YSRC reached the municipal office to file their nominations on Wednesday, officials announced that the elections for the standing committee on October 4 have been postponed.
They said the polls are being postponed as the annual Tirumala Srivari Brahmotsavams are commencing on October 4.
Traditionally, the Chief Minister participates in the Brahmotsavams on the first day, presenting silk robes to the deity on behalf of the state government. Despite the schedule for the Brahmotsavams being announced months in advance, the date for electing the standing committee members had earlier been fixed for October 4, leading to confusion and criticism.
Upon hearing of the postponement, city mayor Dr. R. Sirisha expressed anger. She confronted municipal commissioner N. Mourya, questioning the delay in holding the election without issuing proper notice.
“The delay is a strategic move by officials to give ruling Telugu Desam more time to influence the outcome. 30 of the total 47 corporators belong to YSRC Party. The postponement of the election is an attempt by TD and Jana Sena to avoid an impending YSRC victory. They want to gain more time to manipulate the election outcome,” mayor Sirisha charged.
Officials and ruling party leaders, however, maintain that postponing the election became necessary due to the Brahmotsavams starting on the same day.
“Both the festival and the election on the same day would be logistically challenging,” an official stated.
YSRC corporators are planning to approach the High Court, accusing ruling parties of the state and officials of acting undemocratically.
