Nimmagadda finally back to his seat?

The story of Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner, Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, seems to be taking a new turn every single day. According to the latest reports, Nimmagadda might soon reassume his duties as the SEC, under the orders of the Governor.

The government of Andhra Pradesh had passed an ordinance to remove Nimmagadda from his position, when he refused to go ahead with the local body elections in the month of March, citing the situation of Coronavirus in the state.

Following his removal, the Andhra Pradesh government appointed retired Tamil Nadu judge Kanagaraj as the new SEC. Nimmagadda then approached the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, saying that the government cannot remove him from his position before his term is completed. The High Court’s order was in Nimmagadda’s favor, shocking the government.

The government then approached the Supreme Court, requesting for a stay order on the High Court’s decision, but the Supreme Court refused to give the stay order 3 times. The government of Andhra Pradesh once again approached the Supreme Court recently, for a stay order, and investigation about this case is now going on in the SC.

In the meantime, when Nimmagadda approached the High Court, the High Court instructed him to go to the Governor, and to request him to reinstate Nimmagadda as the SEC. As per the High Court’s orders, Nimmagadda recently met with the governor of AP, Biswabhushan Harichandan, and requested the governor to reinstatehim as the SEC.

Reportedly, the governor has now ordered the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, Nilam Sawhney, to reinstate Nimmagadda as the SEC. Previously, one minister belonging to the YSRCP had questioned what Nimmagadda would do in case he returned as the SEC. With Nimmagadda very likely to resume his position, it will be interesting to see what he will do once he gets all of his powers back.