A day after issuing a circular that he has taken charge as the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC), Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar on Saturday withdrew the same after Advocate General raised objection to his action.
Advocate General S. Subramanya Sriram told a press conference on Saturday night that Ramesh Kumar’s action of issuing a circular that he has taken charge as SEC is illegal as the High Court in its orders on Friday had not asked Ramesh Kumar to take charge.
Immediately after this, Ramesh Kumar withdrew the circular. SEC secretary said the orders with regard to his taking charge were withdrawn.
Ramesh Kumar on Friday night issued a circular to all district collectors, chief executive officer of zilla praja parishads, district panchayat officer, municipal commissioners, stating that pursuant to the High Court orders he stood restored to the office of SEC.
Nearly one and a half month after he was sacked by Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, the retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer had returned as the SEC following the High Court order striking down the ordinance issued to sack him. The court also quashed the government order appointing retired high court judge V. Kanagaraj as the new SEC.
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government had issued an ordinance on April 10 to sack Ramesh Kumar as the SEC following a row over the postponement of local body elections.
Within hours after sacking Ramesh Kumar, the government had appointed retired high court judge Justice V. Kanagaraj as the new SEC.
Meanwhile, the Advocate General said a petition was filed in the High Court seeking permission to challenge its order in the Supreme Court. He said a petition was also moved seeking stay on the High Court order.
