Telangana CM Absent from His Own Rs 70 Crore Dinner Party?!
Telangana CM, Ministers Skip Iftar Party After EC Denies Permission
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his Cabinet ministers were notably absent from the state-hosted Iftar party on Tuesday, March 25, after the Election Commission (EC) denied permission for their attendance.
The decision came in light of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), enforced on Monday due to the upcoming biennial election to the Telangana Legislative Council from the Hyderabad Local Authorities’ Constituency.
The annual Iftar event, planned at L.B. Stadium in Hyderabad, was set to include the Chief Minister, ministers, MPs, and legislators. However, with the MCC in effect, the state government sought EC approval for their participation and to conduct Iftar dinners statewide.
The EC rejected the proposal, as conveyed to the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana, prompting the Chief Minister’s Office to share the rejection letter with the media. In the absence of political leaders, officials from the Minority Welfare Department, Waqf Board, Haj Committee, and Urdu Academy attended alongside prominent invitees.
The event had already drawn criticism over its reported ₹70 crore budget, with Muslim organizations like the Students Islamic Organisation and Welfare Party of India urging funds be redirected to education and welfare.
Activists, including Lubna Sarwath, echoed this call, while the BJP slammed the expenditure amid claims of unpaid government salaries. Though the Iftar proceeded without political fanfare, the EC’s ruling underscored electoral protocol, leaving the government to navigate public backlash and logistical adjustments as the MCC shapes its pre-election actions.
