Cong leader Meenakshi Natarajan asks partymen not to perform milk ablutions during party events

Hyderabad, Jul 16 (PTI) AICC incharge of party affairs in Telangana Meenakshi Natarajan has directed partymen in the state not to carry out milk ablutions (pala abhishekam) and water ablutions (jala abhishekam) to portraits of leaders as an expression of respect and affection. State Congress vice president T Kumar Rao said in a circular on Thursday that 'pala abhishekam' and 'jala abhishekam' should not be performed "under any circumstances" at any Congress programme, irrespective of occasion or venue. "This decision has been taken in accordance with the directions of Meenakshi Natarajan, incharge of AICC for Telangana, and every party functionary is required to adhere to it strictly," the circular said. Such practices, which involve wasting food items, are completely contrary to the ideology and principles of Congress, it said. The circular suggested that distribution of food items may be undertaken in view of malnutrition in society. Further, it has been observed that some leaders have been using bulldozers, earth-moving machines and other heavy machinery to place oversized garlands on senior leaders, it said. "As these vehicles are symbols of oppression, from now onwards, the use of such vehicles or machinery for garlanding party leaders will also invite disciplinary action," the circular added. PTI SJR SJR KH