AP State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar has been very argumentative with the AP state government for the last 8 months and he has been battling hard to face all the power and influence of Jagan Mohan Reddy. He won some, compromised some and fought many. Now, he is determined to conduct the local body polls which were postponed in March, earlier this year in the wake of COVID-19.
As expected, severe criticism arose from the ruling party as they are doing everything within their power to stop the process. Of course, SEC Ramesh is being helped by the constitutional rights of an Election Commission and this controversy led to nowhere as of now. Some people in the state appreciate Nimmagadda’s guts and others criticise his attitude. But, the main question is yet to come from the public. And that is “Why?”
AP BJP president Somu Veerraju in an unpredictable fashion questioned Nimmagadda what is the dire need to conduct the local body elections when the COVID threat is still a factor. Remember, it was Nimmagadda who postponed the elections once for the same reason. Veerraju cleared that his ally Janasena made it clear that they would participate in polls if they were held but did not support Nimmagadda’s decision anywhere.
It is such a blow to Ramesh Kumar who is giving his everything to resist the muscle of YSRCP all these days. Yet, he did not back off. He has been in the preparations for the local body polls and no one understands what it is he wants to achieve with this constant urge for domination over the government. First things first, though the COVID cases are being reported in small numbers we all know that the second wave is on the verge of emergence.
So, why is Nimmagadda taking this huge risk at the end of his career? His retirement has anything to do with this? Are there any other external pressures for him? Is it just for revenge for the struggle he faced in the earlier months? We may never know.