AP State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar was at it again. This time, he clamped model code of conduct on Ministers, MPs, MLAs and others till the counting of votes for all the four phases of Gram Panchayat elections.
Nimmagadda had written yet another letter to chief secretary Adityanath Das on Saturday asking him to strictly enforce the model code of conduct till the elections are over.
Nimmagadda wanted the CS to bar the Ministers, MPs, MLAs and others from using the government vehicles and government staff, infrastructure during the elections.
He directed the CS to allow only the security forces and not any vehicle or even offices to be used by the Ministers.
He also told the CS that all the government advisors and others with the cabinet rank are also prohibited from using the government vehicles.
He said that the Ministers and the advisors who visit the party office for press conferences are also not allowed to use the government vehicles and government employees given to assist them.
He also advised the CS to prevent the Ministers and others from holding meetings in the state, where elections are held and not to campaign at the same time.
However, YSR Congress spokesperson Ambati Rambabu took strong exception to these orders. He found fault with the SEC for issuing these orders as the Gram Panchayat elections are held not on the party basis.
“When elections are not on the party basis, how can he prevent the ruling party leaders, including Ministers, unless he is guided by some hidden forces,” Rambabu shot back.
