Hyderabad: The Congress party on Friday asked Election Commission of India to restrain caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, ministers and other TRS functionaries from the distribution of Bathukamma sarees from October 12 in view of Model Code of Conduct.
Citing the circular issued by ECI regarding imposition of Model Code of Conduct in Telangana State, TPCC Treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy said that the election authorities should ensure that the TRS does not take political advantage of saree distribution on Bathukamma. “Congress party request you to kindly ensure that the caretaker Chief Minister, Ministers or any functionaries of TRS and other parties are strictly prohibited from any kind of participation in the saree distribution programme. This programme should be conducted solely by the local officials of State Government under the direct supervision of election authorities. Further, we are also in receipt of information that the cover of Bathukamma sarees, to be distributed among women, carries a picture of caretaker Chief Minister Mr. K. Chandrashekhar Rao. Therefore, we request you to kindly ensure that no picture, flag, symbol or pink colour (the official colour of TRS party) is used anywhere in the Bathukamma sarees,” he said in a letter to Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar.
Gudur Narayana Reddy also urged the authorities to distribute Bathukamma sarees through Fair Price Shops only. “We fear that the ruling TRS party might try to influence the voters if their leaders or workers are involved in the process or if the sarees are distributed at the locations identified by them,” he said. (NSS)
