Reminding the Election Commission of its duties and in over-stepping the line, Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu shot off a letter to the Election Commission arguing that it does not have any jurisdiction to stop him from holding departmental reviews. In the letter, he also reminded the EC of its ‘unilateral decisions’ over transfer of DG Intelligence, Chief Secretary and Superintendents of Police of various districts of the state.
He also added that he is restricted due to the inconvenience and embarrassment faced by IAS officers in attending his reviews duo to the EC’s unnecessary instructions. He also blamed the EC for not letting the government take pre-emptive measures in saving lives lost due to recent thunderstorms and rains that have claimed lives. ‘Had the EC allowed us to conduct meetings, our thunderbolt predicting technology would have helped us save lives,’ he added. He added that the EC is responsible for the loss of 7 lives during the recent rains.
‘The Chief Electoral Officer is exceeding his jurisdiction. He has also instructed the Additional DG (Intelligence) who works directly under the Chief Minister, not to report to the CM. I would like to know from the EC, whether reporting authority can be changed? If so, does the reporting authority for National Security Advisor also changed or will they be reporting to the Prime Minister?,’ Chandrababu questioned in the letter, over how EC is forcibly letting officers breach official protocol.
Chandrababu said that EC is ‘intentionally paralysing the state administration,’ adding that government reviews do not violate the Model Code of Conduct. In the letter, Chandrababu said that the government of Andhra Pradesh ‘have the right to recover amounts for delays and cost overrun in projects from ECI by initiating legal action.’
