The Congress government’s handling of the Bathukamma festival has raised widespread criticism. This year, the festival has been poorly managed, with no substantial preparations for the celebrations.
Reports suggest that the Revanth government is intentionally neglecting the state festival, further evidenced by the failure to distribute the customary Bathukamma sarees. There has been no record of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy or the concerned ministers reviewing the festival arrangements.
While it is rumored that the Chief Secretary may have conducted a review, no official announcement has confirmed this. On the ground, local officials claim they have not received any directives from higher authorities, further underscoring the government’s negligence.
In previous years, Chief Minister KCR would issue orders well in advance, ensuring that departments, including the state’s Department of Culture, coordinated the necessary preparations. Adequate funds were also released to ensure the festival’s smooth execution. Yet, this year, with Saddula Bathukamma fast approaching, not even a single penny has been allocated for the event.
In addition to the lack of government preparations, there are reports of obstacles faced by women playing Bathukamma across the state. In Madhira, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka’s constituency, women participating in the festival were reportedly subjected to humiliation.
In Peddampalli village, part of the Mulugu constituency represented by Minister Seethakka, incidents of poor electricity supply have been reported, affecting celebrations. The situation is similar in parts of Bhupalapalli district.