Nimmagadda’s Shock To Jagan’s Close Aide

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy is considered as CM Jagan’s close aide. AP State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar has cracked a whip on Peddireddy for his threatening comments on Election Returning Officers and district collectors.

Nimmagadda directed the state police to house arrest minister Peddireddy till the elections conclude in the state and passed strict orders to ensure that Peddireddy wouldn’t speak to the media as well. SEC opined that Peddireddy’s open threat to Election officials and bureaucrats isn’t in the spirit of free and democratic practice of election. He said the action against Peddireddy is to conduct fair and free Panchayat polls in the state.

“The utterances of the minister for panchayat raj and rural development threatening all the collectors who are also the district election authorities and the returning officers with dire consequences if they follow the Election Commissioner’s instructions which emanate from Article 243K, which mandates to hold free and fair elections is a serious breach of rule of law and tenets of the Constitution of India,” SEC Nimmagadda said in the order.

“Having carefully looked at the various alternatives and avenues of remedial action, the commission by invoking its plenary powers under Article 243K of the Constitution directes the director general of police, Andhra Pradesh to confine minister for panchayat raj and rural development to his residential premises,” the order added.

Earlier, minister Peddireddy conducted a media conference on Friday evening. He made severe comments on Nimmagadda yet again. “If anyone makes a wrong decision and pay heed to SEC Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, we’ll blacklist those officials till we are in power,” said Peddireddy.