ECI issues notice to KTR for holding meeting with unemployed youth at T-works

Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notice to Minister K T Rama Rao for addressing a meeting to youth belonging to the India Tribe on November 20, 2023.

The notice was issued following a complaint filed by Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala to ECI on November 21, 2023, who stated that minister KTR has violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) when he visited the T-works office in Hyderabad and interacted with a large number of youth employed in the office.

As per the EC report, "A meeting was conducted at T-works Raidurgam by Student Tribe ( a unit of Colosseum CQ Solutions Private Limited) represented by Sh Charan on November 20 between 11.30 AM and 1 PM and attended by minister K T Rama Rao."

The video surveillance team had covered the meeting attended by the minister and had submitted a report. After going through the visuals from the video, the EC has come to the conclusion that there has indeed been a violation of the MCC.

In the said meeting, there was a discussion about government jobs in Telangana, revamping of the TSPSC Board and also some remarks about the Government of Telangana in recruitment of government jobs.

It is a case of MCC violation as the party in power (BRS) has used its official position for the purpose of election campaign and the minister has combined his official visit with electioneering work.

The EC observed that being a Minister and a candidate of Sircilla and also a Star Campaigner for the BRS party for the Assembly Elections, KTR should not have addressed issues of unemployment and assured proactive measures, combining an official visit with his personal and political agenda.

The minister has been asked to explain his stand by 3 PM on Sunday with regards to the above visit and use of a government institute for political purpose, failing which (to respond and explain) the EC will take action or decision in the matter.