The Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh, which is eagerly awaiting the completion of tenure of controversial Andhra Pradesh state election commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, is said to be already looking for a suitable candidate to replace him.
According to reports doing rounds in a section of media, Jagan said to be searching for a loyalist for the post of SEC, so that there would not be further troubles for his government in the conduct of the elections to local bodies.
Though the Jagan government promulgated an ordinance reducing the tenure of the SEC from five years to three years and changing the qualification of the SEC from that of a retired IAS officer to a retired judge, the high court struck down the ordinance.
During this ordinance period, Jagan appointed retired Tamil Nadu judge Justice V Kanagaraj as the SEC, he did not continue in the post for long, because the high court and later the Supreme Court gave the judgement in favour of Nimmagadda.
There was a talk till recently that Justice Kanagaraj would be back as the SEC soon after the retirement of Nimmagadda on March 31. Jagan also reportedly gave an assurance to Justice Kanagaraj that he would be brought back as SEC.
However, according to the latest reports, the chief minister reportedly changed his mind and is now said to be contemplating appointing a retired IAS officer of his choice in the post of SEC so as to have smooth sailing for him.
It is now rumoured that Jagan is considering the name of retired chief secretary Neelam Sawhney for the post of SEC.
She has been appointed as the principal advisor to the government soon after her retirement on December 31, after two rounds of extension as chief secretary.
Since Neelam is a hardcore loyalist of Jagan, she would be a better choice for the SEC, which would be a constitutional post.
During her tenure as CS, she had put up a strong fight with Nimmagadda over the postponement of local body elections in March 2020 and the conduct of elections in February 2021.
Since she knows how the SEC should have a coordination with the government, she could be a better choice for the SEC post, say these reports.
However, Neelam is already in a big position in the government as Principal Advisor and one wonders whether Jagan will shift her to the SEC or whether she accepts the offer, if given. It remains to be seen how far this news is correct.
