KCR Skips Moulana Azad's Birthday Celebrations

Despite announcing official celebrations of the Minorities Welfare Day on the occasion of the 126th birth anniversary of Moulana Abul Kalaam Azad on Tuesday, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao himself refrained from participating in the event held at Ravindra Bharathi.

The Chief Minister, who had issued specific instructions to the officials to celebrate the occasion as Minorities Welfare Day at the State-level, preferred to stay in the Legislative Assembly premises than cross the road to Ravindra Bharathi.

He left the House at about 10:25 am and returned at 12:05 pm. The reporters covering the Assembly proceedings were under the impression that the Chief Minister had gone to participate in Azad's birthday celebrations. However, he reportedly did not leave the Assembly premises, and was present in his chambers.

Expecting the arrival of the Chief Minister, the District Minorities Welfare Officer and Education Officer had gathered large numbers of school children at Ravindra Bharathi since 9 am. But neither did the Chief Minister attend the programme, nor did the top leaders of other political parties participate in the official celebrations.

While Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali represented the government, MLC Farooq Hussain was the lone representative from the Congress.

Former MLA Christine Lazarus also participated in the event, as did senior officials including Minority Department Principal Secretary Ahmed Nadeem, Director Minorities Welfare M J Akbar and TSMFC MD Prof S A Shukoor.

In the end, it turned out to be a routine event with symbolic participation from the government.

It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister had visited Adilabad to participate in the anniversary of the martyrdom of tribal leader Komaram Bheem, and also ensured he participated in events related to famous personalities. (INN)