Collector-MLA tussle leaves Bathukamma festival divided

Jangaon: The wrangle between the district administration and the local MLA M Yadagiri Reddy has left the women in the town celebrating Bathukamma in the town divided.

As per tradition, the celebration of ‘Saddula Batukamma’, on the final day of the festival, used to take place at Sri Venkateshwara Temple at Banapuram in the town. The district administration has been making arrangements for the past several decades.

However, this time, the MLA has organised his own Bathukamma celebrations at the tank, Dharmonikunta, which he christened as Bathukammakunta and made elaborate arrangements like setting up LCD screens and DJ system playing high pitched Bathukamma songs.

The District Collector A Devasena reportedly denied permission for making arrangements at the tank on the pretext that illegal developmental activities were taking place at the place and the locals have raised objections on such activities. This, in turn, has led to a conflict between the MLA and the District Collector.

While District Collector Devasena was absent at Bathukamma celebrations at Banapuram, the MLA turned up at celebrations at Bathukammakunta. He made it clear that land at the tank was developed in a min-Tank Bund for the benefit of the public but was surprised that the District Collector was unhappy over it.