VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh high court on Wednesday found fault with photographs of chief minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy printed on the boards of Panchayat office across the state.
While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Muppa Venkateswara Rao, the bench headed by Chief Justice J K Maheswari and Justice Ninala Jayasurya asked the government why chief minister’s photographs were displayed on hoardings at panchayat offices.
Assistant advocate general said the chief minister’s is a constitutional post and hence the hoardings.
The HC said: “The prime minister’s is a constitutional position, but can we display his photo in front of Parliament? Similarly, the chief justice is head of the Supreme Court but his photo is not displayed at the court entrance. The state government should follow the customs and spirit of the Constitution,” said the HC bench.
In an affidavit, the state government said the YSRC party flag and the colours used to paint panchayat offices were different. The HC said it could differentiate between the colours of the party flag and colours on the offices.
The HC directed the advocate general to present YSRC flag and the colours painted on the offices.
The state election commission said it cannot direct the government to remove party flag colours on panchayat office buildings as the model code of conduct was not in force.
The HC said that it would give directions if the EC did not have the necessary powers.
Further hearing will take place on Thursday.
While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Muppa Venkateswara Rao, the bench headed by Chief Justice J K Maheswari and Justice Ninala Jayasurya asked the government why chief minister’s photographs were displayed on hoardings at panchayat offices.
Assistant advocate general said the chief minister’s is a constitutional post and hence the hoardings.
The HC said: “The prime minister’s is a constitutional position, but can we display his photo in front of Parliament? Similarly, the chief justice is head of the Supreme Court but his photo is not displayed at the court entrance. The state government should follow the customs and spirit of the Constitution,” said the HC bench.
In an affidavit, the state government said the YSRC party flag and the colours used to paint panchayat offices were different. The HC said it could differentiate between the colours of the party flag and colours on the offices.
The HC directed the advocate general to present YSRC flag and the colours painted on the offices.
The state election commission said it cannot direct the government to remove party flag colours on panchayat office buildings as the model code of conduct was not in force.
The HC said that it would give directions if the EC did not have the necessary powers.
Further hearing will take place on Thursday.
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