Uncertainty is looming large over the conduct of the Satavahana Kalotsavalu scheduled to begin from December 13 in Karimnagar, owing to the present political turmoil in the region over the State bifurcation issue.
The conduct of the annual festival has been delayed since the last three years due to various reasons. Earlier, the district authorities had planned to conduct the Kalotsavalu in October. However, it was postponed due to the clash during the Dasara festivities. Again following the pressures from a section, the administration decided to conduct the festival from December 13 to 15, with raising funds from the philanthropists. Accordingly, the authorities also prepared posters and chalked out various plans for the festival.
Assembly sessionNow, the conduct of Parliament and Assembly winter sessions from December 5 and 12 respectively has become a bottleneck for the Kalotsavalu. Besides, Collector M. Veerabrahmaiah has been hospitalised for illness. Ever since, the Collector was hospitalised, the officials have been silent over the conduct of the festival.
Even the elected representatives were also not showing any interest in the programme as they are busy with the political developments in the State and Centre over the statehood issue. It is also alleged that the district authorities have not consulted the ruling party elected representatives over the announcement of the dates for the programme.
Polls a hindrance“What is the meaning of conducting the Kalotsavalu without the government’s involvement? Why should we depend only on the donations made by philanthropists for the programme,” asked a district official.
He opined that it was better to postpone the Kalotsavalu indefinitely. With the general elections round the corner, it is difficult to conduct the Kalotsavalu even in the January, 2014, opined another officer.
