At the public meeting organised after B Mahesh Kumar Goud took over as the Telangana PCC President at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Sunday, 15 September, one of the significant sights was an LED screen on the dais flashing state government logo.
Published Sep 16, 2024 | 3:03 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 16, 2024 | 3:03 PM
The LED screen with Telangana government logo at an event in Gandhi Bhavan. (X)
Does Telangana government consider Congress party unit as one of its official organs? At the public meeting organised after B Mahesh Kumar Goud took over as the Telangana PCC President at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Sunday, 15 September, one of the significant sights was an LED screen that formed the backdrop for the galaxy of Congress speakers, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, on the dais.
The LED screen flashed Telugu letters — Telangana Government. In between the two words, the Telangana government’s emblem occupied a prominent place.
As speaker after speaker extolled the virtues of Mahesh Kumar Goud, the banner stuck out prominently in a medley of red, yellow and white light, making one wonder if the government of Telangana was sponsoring the event. Even though a party can always advise the government on its policies, one wonders when the government began sponsoring the party events.
As Revanth Reddy was the chief guest, the broadcasting company that telecasts the chief minister’s programme, probably followed him into the Gandhi Bhavan blindly and set up the banner.
In its anxiety, the company seems to have forgotten that it should not cross the thin line that differentiates the government from the party.
After the programme started and the speakers began their pro-Congress and anti-BRS rant someone sober seems to have realised the faux pas and had the LED banner removed, to arrest further damage to the government.
The BRS, which always bides its time for any lapses in the government, pounced on the ruling party.
Former Telangana Digitial Media director Konatham Dileep, in a message on X, wondered whether the Telangana government had sponsored the TPCC president’s swearing-in.
He asked: “Did Telangana government sponsor the TPCC chief’s swearing in ceremony in Gandhi Bhavan? Why was Telangana Government’s name and emblem used as a backdrop for the event. Can @Telangana CS garu, please enlighten us?”
Did Telangana government sponsor the TPCC Chief’s swearing in ceremony at Gandhi Bhavan?
Why was Telangana Government’s name and Emblem used as backdrop for the event?
Can @TelanganaCS garu please enlighten us? https://t.co/DCnXJIQ7XW
— Konatham Dileep (@KonathamDileep) September 16, 2024
In another discordant note, the Department of Language and Culture of the Telangana government sponsored the event of Ponnam Satteyya Charitable Trust.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar happens to be one of the three sons of Satteyya. The occasion was to award Ponnam Satteyya Lifetime Achievement Awards, 2024, at Ravindra Bharati in Hyderabad on 13 September, coinciding with Satteyya’s 14 death anniversary.
What sounded very peculiar was the interest shown by the Department of Language and Culture in sponsoring the event. Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, who was the chief guest, read out a prepared speech, praising Satteyya for being a remarkable father to his three sons, a person who led a spartan life and never swerving from his commitment to values.
After listening to Prasad Kumar, one is at a loss to know what this had to do with the government. Satteyya may be a noble individual and though he was illiterate he had encouraged his sons to go for higher studies but that is what every father usually does.
He was regarded as a great agriculturist, he was one who always looked for innovative methods in farming and that he avoided publicity.
No doubt they might have great qualities but not much is said about his contribution to society that should make the government sponsor the event.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
