Government buildings should not be painted in party colours: AP High Court

On Friday, the Andhra Pradesh High Court said that the State Government buildings must not be painted in colours related to any political parties. The main reason being that such public buildings, painted in these colours, could influence voters during any upcoming elections. In the past few months, a number panchayat offices, village secretariats and other government buildings have been painted in the white, blue and green colours of the ruling YSRCP.

This decision was taken during the hearing of a certain Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Times of India reported. It was filed by Muppa Venkateswara Rao of Pallapadu village, under Vatticherukuru Mandal, in Guntur District. Mr. Rao had filed the case when the local YSRCP members were painting the Panchayat office in the colours of the respective party flag. His appeal was that as it was a public property, using the flag colours was illegal, unconstitutional and arbitrary. This would have a direct effect on the upcoming panchayat elections.

The bench at the Andhra Pradesh High Court headed by Chief Justice J K Maheswari and Justice M Venkata Ramana, order the Guntur District Collector to submit a report on the cost incurred, for painting such buildings in party colours, as well as the pertaining reasons for doing so. A deadline of 10 days has been given for submission of this report. This matter has been postponed to 23 December, 2019 for further hearing.