Even as the world is fighting against Covid-19 and so India and its states, politics in Andhra Pradesh are intact. The political parties in the state are now fighting over taking credit for the fund being distributed to poor and needy in these difficult times of lock down.
While state government and the leaders of YCP claim that the funds are granted by CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy from the state’s exchequer, BJP leaders beg to differ claiming that the funds are granted by the Central Government.
As Rs 1000 is being distributed to eligible poor in the state by YCP MLAs and netas, opposition leaders and BJP leaders are finding it fault with the government for using it politically as local body election is around the corner. It can be noted that the civic polls in the state were postponed by SEC Ramesh Kumar due to Corona Virus outbreak. Supreme Court has supported the decision of the SEC to postpone election, however, it allowed to give slight relaxation on the Election Code as it don’t want to allow people to suffer. The Apex Court has asked the state government to continue its existing schemes, but it had said strict no to the introduction of new public schemes. The local body elections would be held once the situation comes to normalcy.
In this backdrop, BJP state unit president Kanna Lakshminarayana has written a letter to the State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar accusing the state government of violating the Election Code. Kanna alleged that the YCP leaders, netas are distributing Rs 1000 to poor. He asked the SEC to look into it immediately and take necessary action. Kanna also asked the government to not politicize a pandemic. Opposition leaders have asked the state government to distribute funds to poor through grama volunteers or ward volunteers.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders have also claimed that the state government is distributing the Center’s funds and taking credit. With this war of words between YCP and BJP leaders is on over the credit of Rs 1000. Well, it is the public money and it is being given to public at the end. So, whose Rs 1000 does it matter. Indulging in politics in such difficult times isn’t good for political leaders. However, it is to be ensured that the Election Code isn’t violated. Let’s wait and see, how the Election Commission is going to respond on the whole issue
