Local Body Polls: Will Governor Intervene?

The on-going tussle between YSRCP government and AP State Election Commission over the local body polls has reached the next level. The other day, AP’s Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar has written to the AP government about the elections and in his letter he stated that the situation is in favour of holding elections.

In reply AP government’s chief secretary Nilam Sawhney stated that the elections can’t be held and no officers will join APSEC’s meeting regarding the same. With the state government making it clear about the polls, Nimmagadda countered AP government stating that the election commission is an independent constitutional identity and it has the right to take a call on to hold the elections. Nimmagadda also sent a text message to the Chief Secretary asking her how can the duty of a constitutional body can be stopped by the government.

With the AP government being reluctant to conduct the elections, SEC Nimmagadda decided to meet AP Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan. At around 10:30 AM, Nimmagadda reached Raj Bhavan in Amaravati and met Governor Biswabhushan. This meeting lasted for nearly 45 minutes and SEC Nimmagadda is said to have lodged a complaint against the AP government. He informed the Governor that the AP government is not at all coordinating.

Buzz is that AP CS Nilam Swahney is likely to hold a press conference today and address the media over the prevailing situation. She is likely to convey the government’s view point.

Will the Governor intervene in the row between the AP government and APSEC? And will the Governor find a solution for the local polls? Can’t say anything at the moment.