The ECI has asked KTR to submit an explanation by 3 pm on Sunday, 26 November — failing which it will take unilateral action.
Published Nov 26, 2023 | 7:09 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2023 | 7:09 AM
The complaint, filed by Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, alleges that KTR violated the Model Code of Conduct by using the T-Works platform for political activity. (Supplied)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notice to BRS Working President and IT Minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) over his interaction with IT professionals at the T-Works Office in Hyderabad, seeking an explanation after a complaint was filed over the use of official machinery in electioneering.
The ECI has instructed KTR to submit his reply by 3 pm on Sunday, 26 November — failing which, the election panel will take appropriate unilateral action.
In 2017, the Telangana established T-Works with the aim of fostering and celebrating a culture of hobbyists and innovators in India. Young Liu, chairman and CEO of Foxconn, inaugurated this world-class facility in March this year in KTR’s presence.
The complaint, filed on 21 November by Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, alleges that KTR violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by using the T-Works platform for political activities during his visit there on 20 November.
In response, the Chief Election Officer of Telangana issued the notice, stating that KTR’s combining of official and political/private visits to a government institution was a prima facie violation of the MCC.
The letter to KTR further mentions, “The Commission gives you an opportunity to explain your stand regarding the above visit and use of a Government Institute for political purposes by 3 pm on 26th November, 2023.”
It also warns that if there is no response within the stipulated time, the Election Commission will assume that KTR has nothing to say on the matter, and appropriate action will be taken without further consultation.
This comes a day after the ECI issued a notice to BRS chief and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao over alleged hate speeches, on a complaint filed by Balmoori Venkat Narsing Rao, the president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Telangana.
It has referred to KCR’s remarks during a 20 November Nizamabad meeting in response to the attack on the BRS Medak MP Kotha Prabhakar Reddy: “Our (BRS) party workers too can pick up knives and create havoc in the state.”
