AP CM writes to CEC to restore his right to hold review meetings

In an interesting development, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has dashed off a letter to the Chief Electio Commissioner uging him to direct the state Chief Election Officer to allow him to function as state’s head and review the ongoing projects in the best interests of the people.

In his seven-page letter, he said he enjoys right Constitutionally to oversee the ongoing project works by conducting review meetings with the concerned officials as they should not hamper the public interest.

He apparently decided to dash off the latter to CEC after the state Chief Secretary L V Subramaniam’s dictat to the officials not to attend the meetings convened by the Chief Minister without his consent.

In his nine page letter, Naidu observed; “There’s no such provision in the model code of conduct… I am duty bound and empowered to conduct review meetings. The CEO is spreading misinformation and exceeding his jurisdiction,” Naidu said in the letter,

“He has also instructed the ADG (Intelligence), who works directly under the control of the chief minister, not to report to the CM,” the letter read.

Naidu accused the state Election Officer, asking the poll panel whether it has also directed the Intelligence Bureau Director and the National Security Advisor not to meet and brief the prime minister.

“Why discriminating orders are being issued in case of Andhra Pradesh? The EC has no authority to bar an elected government from discharging its duties,” he said and accused the EC of “usurping” its power.

Naidu alleged the EC was facilitating the functioning of the BJP-led central government and states ruled by the party and its allies.

The Union government held a cabinet meeting on April 15 despite the model code of conduct being in force and “even today, regular security briefings and meetings take place at the central level. The CM of Telangana is also conducting review meetings regularly”, he claimed.

He said since there is a large gap of 42 days before the results are announced on May 23, the normal administration cannot be allowed to come to a standstill.

“Since the electorate has already exercised their franchise, the EC has no jurisdiction to stop any review meeting or briefing,” he said.

On April 13, a TDP delegation led by Naidu met CEC Arora, complaining of large scale EVM malfunction in the state on the polling day and urging the poll panel to revert to the ballot system.