Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj minister Ch Ayyanna Patrudu recently said that Roja Selvamani should learn to act maturely. The TDP minister further said, “Politics is not like dancing in Jabardasth TV show and taking digs at others, but it requires ample patience, concentration, maturity of mind and above all, to work as a bridge between the public and the government.” The minister had to make these statements against Nagari MLA due to her continuous allegations against the ruling party.
Generally, Minister’s office is considered as full-time responsibility as public servant. A PIL was filed against Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu where in the Petitioner H C Arora stated that the propriety of the constitutional post of a cabinet minister requires that he should not participate in a comedy show on TV. The advocate quoted that Sidhu was earning both as a public servant and as a judge in Kapil Sharma show. He even cited a judgement of the Andhra Pradesh high court pertaining to NT Rama Rao wherein it was observed that a chief minister should not act in a film and had further cautioned that such acting in films by a cabinet minister may also amount to abuse of his office.
The Punjab Haryana High court held that there is a laid down code of conduct and 1952 law which states that after taking office or as long as he is in office, an official/MP will refrain from joining or holding another office of profit or a private business. However, the court deferred the hearing till May11. The High Court seems to have cleared the ambiguity surrounding the rules for Ministers and public servants. All eyes are set on Sidhu’s decision.
On similar lines to Sidhu, even Roja though in opposition is getting income from both government as a MLA and from TV shows like Jabardasth and Racha Banda. The TDP leaders who never leave a chance to critique the YCP MLA, will surely leave no stone unturned to target Roja in this regard.
But, Hindupur TDP MLA Balakrishna is also working in movies and is drawing remuneration as MLA. Congress leader Chiranjeevi has been bunking Rajya Sabha but returned to his movie career. Pawan Kalyan after elections may have to choose only one career. It is worth watching how things unfold with these leaders who neither want to give up their career nor the ministerial post.
