The confrontation between YSR Congress party government in Andhra Pradesh led by Jagan Mohan Reddy and state election commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar has created a risky situation for the bureaucrats in the state.
This is the opinion of former chief secretary I Y R Krishna Rao. He is of the view that the Jagan government should not have stretched the things too far with the SEC, which is a Constitutional body.
“AP government by its immature actions is putting careers of its officers at avoidable risk. It is a settled law that the SEC will have full powers over officers and employees once election process starts,” Krishna Rao said.
He said in the election-related matters, the chief ministers or his cabinet colleagues would have no control. They have to abide by the decisions of the SEC. Otherwise, it will create troubles for the officials, he said.
Krishna Rao said in the normal circumstances, a principal secretary cannot say that he will not implement the decisions taken by the chief minister or his cabinet colleagues.
“In the similar manner, during the election times, the government cannot say it won’t implement the election commission orders,” he said.
He suggested that if the government officials or the cabinet ministers have any issues with the SEC orders, they could approach the courts, but they have no powers to disobey or defy the commission orders.
