In a stern message on maintaining sanctity of the poll code, the Election Commission on Monday withdrew permission to the Telangana government to distribute financial aid to farmers for rabi crops under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme after a state minister violated the code by going public about it. Assembly elections in Telangana will be held on November 30 and results announced on December 3.

The poll panel had given its nod to the state government to disburse the rabi instalment during the model code of conduct period on certain conditions, and had asked it not to publicise the disbursement. The Congress slammed the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) over the Election Commission’s (EC) withdrawal of permission, alleging it was a result of the irresponsible and self-serving approach of the K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR)-led party.