KARIMNAGAR/HYDERABAD: Karimnagar returning officer N Anand Kumar on Tuesday pulled the plug on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s hotly anticipated rally in the district on December 5 and instead gave the TRS permission to hold an election meeting at the requested venue, Circus Ground, before taking out a procession.
The abrupt move set off speculation that the pink party had pulled a few strings to serve a last-minute blow to the national party. Kumar, however, insisted that the decision was taken as the possibility of clashes in case of both parties being allowed to rally was rather high.
The saffron party had sought permission from 12 pm to 5 pm and the TRS from 3 pm to 5 pm at the same venue on the last day for electioneering.When contacted, the returning officer clarified that permission to campaign was given on a first-come-first-served basis and the TRS was the first to approach the body. The Police Department was kept in the loop while the decision was taken.
Adding insult to injury, the returning officer has issued a showcause notice to BJP candidate Bandi Sanjay Kumar and sought a reply within 24 hours for constructing a dias at Circus Ground despite being denied permission to rally in Karimnagar. Non-submission of response will attract disciplinary action and the Chief Election Officer will be notified of the matter, the officer said. Kumar, however, said that the BJP could be given permission to rally if they wrapped up the programme by 12 noon. Party State vice president is working on finding a venue for meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
History 101
Days after Adityanath used the name of the Seventh Nizam in an incorrect reference, grandson of the Nizam, Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, joked that today’s leaders could take a lesson in history. “If he was as cruel as claimed, why was he made Rajpramukh (First Citizen of the State)?” Nawab Najaf Ali Khan, he said.
Showcause notice
Adding insult to injury, the returning officer has issued a showcause notice to BJP candidate Bandi Sanjay Kumar and sought a reply within 24 hours for constructing dias