The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has expressed its concern over the Election Commission’s decision to withdraw permission for the Telangana government to continue providing financial aid to farmers under the Rythu Bandhu scheme during the model code of conduct. The party has argued that this decision will result in irreparable loss to the farmers and has requested the commission to reconsider.
The Election Commission justified its decision by stating that a state minister had violated the conditions for permission by publicly announcing the release of funds under the scheme while the model code of conduct was in effect.
In response, the ruling party clarified that the minister’s statement was not intended to promote the scheme but was simply a gesture of gratitude towards the commission for allowing the disbursement to continue. The party also highlighted that the disbursal of funds under a Central scheme is still ongoing.
In its order, the Election Commission stated that the minister’s actions had not only violated the provisions of the model code of conduct but had also disrupted the level playing field in the ongoing election process. As a result, the permission granted for disbursement under the Rythu Bandhu scheme during the model code of conduct was immediately withdrawn.
The BRS has emphasized that the minister’s statement was inadvertent and a mere expression of gratitude towards the Election Commission. The party argued that stopping the disbursement of funds would cause irreparable loss to the farmers, as it would result in the loss of an entire agricultural season. Therefore, the BRS has requested the commission to reconsider its decision and withdraw the order.
The Telangana Assembly election is scheduled to take place on Thursday, and the model code of conduct will remain in force until December 3, when the counting of votes will occur.
