Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday cried foul over the attempts of the YSR Congress party government to sack state election commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar through an ordinance route.
In a letter to Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan, Naidu pointed out that the YSRC government had brought in amendment to Section 200 of APPR Act, 1994 with vicious design to remove the present state election commissioner Ramesh Kumar.
“Currently, elections to local bodies have been postponed mid-way due to the threat of Covid-19. Thus, local body elections are in the process. In such circumstances, what is the necessity to bring in amendment through backdoor in the form of ordinance to change the term and eligibility of the SEC,” he asked.
Naidu pointed out that Ramesh Kumar had been appointed by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 243 K of the Constitution of India read with Sub-Section (2) of Section 200 of the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.
“Accordingly, he was appointed on 30th January 2016 for a period of five years. In this backdrop, to make amendments to the term and eligibility is illegal,” the TDP chief said.
Further, to apply the said amendment now when the Commissioner is in position is unethical and against the law. If any, the amendment is applicable after this present Commissioner's term of office is completed.
Therefore, we strongly urge Your Excellency's intervention to uphold the rule of law and democratic values, he said.
