Angry KTR gets Bellampally commissioner suspended for 'sycophancy'

HYDERABAD: Infuriated by a silly act of sycophancy of an official, Minister K T Rama Rao ordered the suspension of the Municipal Commissioner of Bellampalli municipality for seeking an explanation through a memo from employees who did not attend KTR's birthday on July 24, 2022.

The Municipal Commissioner of Bellampally in Mancherial district of Telangana sought an explanation from four employees, including senior assistant T Rajeshwari, junior assistant S Punnam Chander, system manager A Mohan, and another staffer Sravan, why action should not be taken against them for not attending KTR's birthday event.

In an office memo – Lr Roc. No. c1/135/2022 dated July 25, 2022, the Commissioner stated that the staff were informed through a WhatsApp message to attend KTR's birthday events held at the Government Hospital in Bellampally. However, the four staffers "ignored the messages" and were asked to explain, failing which their respective heads of departments would be asked to take "disciplinary action" against them.

BJP's national secretary Sunil Deodhar highlighted this in a tweet saying: "KCR Family-sponsored monarchy in Telangana has just reached another height! Government of Telangana has issued a show cause notice to Govt. employees asking them why action shouldn't be taken for not attending Prince @KTRTRS's birthday event on 24th July. Shame. @TelanganaCMO".

As soon as the issue caught his attention, KTR was quick to tweet his angry reaction against the municipal commissioner's overenthusiastic action. The minister tweeted saying: "I am the last person to encourage sycophancy in politics or administration. Read about an over enthusiastic Municipal commissioner issuing a memo to subordinates for not attending my birthday celebrations!🤦‍♂️Have asked @cdmatelangana to suspend the MC for his absurd behaviour."

KTR's rebuke must have come as a shocker to the municipal commissioner, but KTR has always tried to avoid public celebration of his birthday.