Hyderabad: Why has the Election Commission (EC) issued a circular on the enforcement of the model code of conduct 21 days after the dissolution of the Telangana state Assembly? This is the subject of much discussion in political circles.
The EC issued a common circular to all states informing them about the model code of conduct in the case of premature dissolution of an Assembly, without mentioning TS in particular. But it is only the Telangana state government that has dissolved the Assembly and thus the EC circular would seem to be applicable to only Telangana’s caretaker government.
Sources say the EC has received complaints about Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s caretaker government. It may be recalled that the TS BJP unit objected to the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in advertisements of the inauguration of the Ameerpet to LB Nagar stretch of the Metro. Former Union minister and BJP MP Bandaru Dattatreya brought up the matter of ignoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union urban development minister Hardeep Singh Puri, during the inauguration of the new Metro rail route on September 24. The very next day Mr Dattatreya issued a press note criticising the TRS government for going against the “federal spirit”.
Mr Dattatreya boarded the Metro at Ameerpet along with Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, minister K.T. Rama Rao and others, but got down at Mahatma Gandhi bus station. He said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,459 crore under viability gap fund for the Metro and it was unfortunate that the Prime Minister or Union minister was not invited to the inauguration. He alleged that the state government inaugurated the new Metro line hurriedly in view of the elections. The TRS suspects that BJP leaders may have complained to the Election Commission and also to the Central government on this issue.
When the Assembly was dissolved on September 6, 2018 why did the Election Commission not issue the same circular immediately, the TRS queries.
It may also be recalled that Mr Rao, after dissolution of the Assembly, told the media that there is no “caretaker Chief Minis-ter” in the Constitution and he is a full-fledged Chief Minister. The TRS feels the BJP would have moved the EC over this fact too.
The TS caretaker government has postponed several foundation-laying ceremonies. IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao said that this is in view of the model code of conduct being in force.
