The sudden transfer of Andhra Pradesh intelligence chief A B Venkateshwar Rao and Srikakulam and Kadapa superintendents of police by the Election Commission of India late on Tuesday night came as a rude shock to Telugu Desam Party president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Especially the transfer of Venkateshwar Rao is definitely a setback for Naidu, who has been banking on him heavily for surveillance on the opposition parties and gathering inputs on the voting pattern in villages. Naturally, the transfer angered the chief minister.
Within hours, Naidu launched a tirade against the Centre and EC for the unilateral transfer of the three IPS officers.
He alleged that it is the culmination of a well hatched conspiracy by YSR Congress party, Telagnana Rashtra Samithi and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“How can the EC transfer an intelligence chief of director general of police rank based on a frivolous complaint lodged by economic offender Vijay Sai Reddy? The EC order without following due procedures and principles of natural justice, is not only unjustified but also unconstitutional,” he said.
Naidu further said the transfer of Kadapa SP Rahul Dev Sharma would seriously hamper the investigation into the ghastly murder of former MP Y S Vivekananda Reddy in his residence.
“The transfer of SP based on the complaint filed by YCRC leaders, who themselves are accused in the murder case, is ridiculous. The investigation is at a critical stage and the present transfer seriously compromises the pace and outcome of the investigation,” he said.
The TDP chief immediately moved the state high court challenging the EC decision, while writing a strongly-worded letter to the Election Commission questioning the transfers.
