The Andhra Pradesh government’s order to repaint the existing Gram Panchayat offices to resemble the colours of the ruling YSR Congress Party and to put Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s photos on the name board has drawn severe flak from the opposition parties in the state.
The principal opposition party, TDP, has condemned the decision and has demanded that the government withdraw the order immediately.
On Wednesday, the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development department had issued a letter directing all the panchayat buildings in the state to be repainted. The letter reads, “All the District Collectors are requested to take necessary action for changing of colours to the existing Gram Panchayat Buildings in the state duly including the photograph of Hon’ble Chief Minister on one side of the Name Board.”
The sample picture of the Gram Panchayat office issued by the government
Speaking to TNM, TDP MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary said, “This is a really ridiculous thing to do.”
He alleged that the YSRCP has hijacked several public places in the state and has painted them in YSRCP party colours illegally.
“Overhead water tanks, school buildings and bus stops have all been painted with their party colours. Now they have officially taken such a decision. It is undemocratic. Public offices should be respected and not be used for political propaganda,” he said.
“Most of the funds for the Gram Panchayat office come from the Centre, can the BJP paint these offices with their party colours then? Can the TDP do the same after coming to power?” he added.
Slamming the CM, he said, “Jagan should realize that public offices are not his estate to paint whatever he likes. The TDP opposes this decision and demands the government to recall their plans.”
Andhra Pradesh BJP chief Kanna Lakshmi Narayana said, “The public offices are not constructed with YSRCP’s money, so why are they being painted with the party’s colour? Public offices are not their party offices. The government should desist from such silly activities.”