Telangana CM, Cabinet Skip Iftar Party After Election Commission Denies Permission
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his Cabinet colleagues skipped the iftar party hosted by the state government on Tuesday, following the Election Commission’s refusal to grant permission for their participation due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place for the upcoming Telangana Legislative Council biennial elections.
The Iftar event, scheduled at the L.B. Stadium in Hyderabad, was meant to be attended by the Chief Minister, state ministers, MPs, and state legislators. However, the MCC, which came into effect on Monday with the announcement of the election schedule for the Legislative Council from the Hyderabad Local Authorities’ Constituency, prohibited the participation of political figures in any government functions that could be seen as an attempt to influence voters.
The Telangana state government had sought permission from the Election Commission to conduct the Iftar party across the state, including Hyderabad, and allow the Chief Minister and other public representatives to participate. However, the Election Commission rejected the request, sending a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Telangana confirming that the proposal had not been approved.
Despite the absence of the Chief Minister and Cabinet members, officials from the minority welfare department and various minority institutions, such as the Waqf Board, Haj Committee, and Urdu Academy, attended the event. Prominent personalities from various sectors, including politics, social work, and the arts, were invited to the annual gathering.
The Iftar party, which was reportedly budgeted at Rs 70 crore, has come under significant scrutiny from various quarters. Muslim organizations, including the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), voiced concerns about the amount being spent on the event. They suggested that the funds could be better used for paying fee reimbursements to minority students, which remain unpaid in many cases.
The Welfare Party of India (WPI) also called for a boycott of the event, citing unfulfilled promises by the Congress government and a lack of Muslim representation in the state Cabinet. Activists such as Lubna Sarwath, Anwarullah Khan, and Syed Ismail sent a letter to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, urging that the Rs 70 crore be reallocated to fund education, employment, and empowerment programs for minorities.
In addition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Telangana government for allocating such a large sum to the Iftar party. BJP leaders expressed dismay, accusing the government of spending exorbitantly on the event while citing the government’s claim of a financial shortfall, including the inability to pay salaries to government employees. The BJP also supported demands from within the Muslim community to redirect the funds towards welfare and educational initiatives instead.
The controversy surrounding the event has intensified ongoing debates about the government’s priorities and its commitment to addressing the concerns of minority communities in the state.
