Congress MLA gifts smart TVs for ‘deserving’ in Hebbal constituency

BENGALURU: Claiming that it will be helpful to the students in attending online classes and in their academics, Hebbal MLA Byrathi Suresh has begun distributing free smart TVs in his constituency. The MLA said that his supporters would identify those in need of smart TVs. The expenditure towards buying and installation of the 32-inch TV sets is being borne by the MLA himself.

In a video on a social networking site, Byrathi Suresh is seen visiting a family, along with his supporters, to supervise installation of a smart TV in a house, after which he posed for a photo along with the family. Once the TV was switched on, an image of Byrathi Suresh with folded hands flashed on the screen.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on Monday, Byrathi Suresh said he has decided to distribute smart TVs following a demand from the people for the last one year.

Hebbal constituency has 2.57 lakh voters. However, all of them would not be getting the free smart TV. “Applications have been invited from the people of the constituency for issuing the smart TVs. Only the deserving families will get it,” the MLA said. However, he did not reveal the criteria for selection of the beneficiaries.

The MLA said that he has decided to give a TV instead of a tablet or a laptop to the students, as it would be helpful to the entire family. Asked about the cost of the smart TV, the MLA said: “I don’t know about it.”

To another query about drawing the attention of IT officials by distributing the TV sets, he said, “I will reply to them.”

However, netizens criticized the MLA and said that he had done nothing of great consequence to the people during his tenure. The smart TVs are being distributed only to woo the voters ahead of the Assembly elections, they said.