Usually, the State Election Commission in any state calls for a joint meeting of the political parties to take their views before holding an election. Now, things are turning more and more complicated in Andhra Pradesh. Everything is not alright between SEC Ramesh Kumar and the YCP Government. As a result, the SEC has decided not to hold a joint meeting for the political parties.

Mr. Ramesh Kumar has asked the political parties to meet him separately and also submit their suggestions in written form as well on restarting local body elections. In the past, oral representations used to be made to the SEC. Already, YCP Ministers and MLAs have made their party’s stand clear that the Government was not interested to hold the elections as long as Ramesh Kumar is the SEC.

However, Mr. Ramesh Kumar is conducting the meetings with the parties’ representatives from 10 a.m. on Wednesday at his office in Vijayawada. MLA Ambati Rambabu is taking part on behalf of the YCP. The TDP will be represented by its AP President Atchannaidu. Congress, CPM and CPI representatives will also attend.

Political circles are eagerly waiting to see if the YCP would launch attacks on the SEC during this meeting as well. Another point of curiosity is the SEC is an autonomous body and it can take independent decisions based on the suggestion of majority parties.

Not all is well even after the Jaganmohan Reddy government reinstated Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar as the State Election Commissioner. New troubles began. To his utter disbelief, Ramesh Kumar found out that the door leading from his SEC chamber to his subordinate officers was closed down. What more, he found out that the door was shut down permanently just before he arrived to take over for the second time.

Obviously, there were enough signals that Ramesh Kumar would not be allowed to function smoothly. At the same time, there was no aggressive attack from the ruling YCP activists and admirers. This was indeed a relief to Ramesh Kumar. But still, the constant embarrassment remained a concern.

Not to take a lenient view, Ramesh Kumar immediately ordered a probe to find out who was responsible for the closure of the free passage between his chamber and the officers’ cabins. Some subordinates said that the changes in the office structure were made following advice from the Vaastu expert. However, Ramesh Kumar took a serious view of it since Vaastu was obviously used an excuse.

Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, who was removed as State Election Commissioner (SEC), had finally won the hard fought battle against the Jagan government.

In a victory of sorts to Ramesh Kumar and a huge embarrassment to the Jagan government, the senior IAS officer has been finally reinstated as SEC after months of protracted legal battles both in the High Court and Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, Governor Bishwabhusan Harichandan directed the Andhra Pradesh government to reinstate Ramesh Kumar as SEC as per the High Court orders. The Governor has written to Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney to reinstate him immediately as directed by the court. Interestingly, the Governor himself had passed an ordinance promulgated by the Jagan government which had reduced the tenure of SEC to three years from five years.

On July 20, Ramesh Kumar had met the Governor on the directions of the High Court and submitted a memorandum requesting the latter to reinstate him as the SE). Ramesh Kumar had explained to the Governor the HC’s directions at length. Ramesh Kumar had also filed a contempt petition in the High Court against the Andhra Pradesh government for not obeying the court orders to reinstate him following which the HC directed Ramesh Kumar to submit a memorandum to the Governor stating that he has the powers to reinstate him.

Political vendetta

In an act of political vendetta, Ramesh Kumar was removed as SEC after he put off elections to the civic body. In a tearing hurry, the state government had appointed retired Tamil Nadu judge 76-year-old Kanagaraju as SEC. The move was challenged by Ramesh Kumar in the High Court.

At least 13 petitioners questioned the sanctity of the ordinance to remove Ramesh Kumar as SEC. On May 29, the Andhra Pradesh High Court had struck down the state government’s Ordinance reducing the tenure of the SEC from five years to three years.

Hearing the petition, the High Court had ordered the Andhra Pradesh government to reinstate Ramesh Kumar SEC. However, the Jagan government was not in mood to reinstate him back as SEC and filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the High Court order to reinstate Ramesh Kumar as SEC.

The Supreme Court had thrice refused to give a stay on HC order and observed that the removal of Ramesh Kumar as SEC was not done in a bonafide manner. A three-judge SC bench, comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hrishikesh Roy, had warned the Jagan government not to play with the constitutional functionaries.

Ramesh Kumar also dashed off a letter to Union Home Ministry stating that there was a grave risk to his life and that he and his family members were receiving threat calls from the YSRCP leaders after he had put off elections to civic bodies. The government instead of taking his concern seriously had doubted the credibility of Ramesh Kumar’s letter and ordered a CID probe stating that it was a fraudulent and forged letter.

The Andhra Pradesh government has also allegedly snooped on the movements of Ramesh Kumar when he met BJP leaders Sujana Chowdhary and former minister Kamineni Srinivas at Park Hyatt Hotel in Hyderabad’s posh Banjara Hills. In an attempt to vilify Ramesh Kumar, CCTV footage was leaked to select media.

Ramesh Kumar had also written a letter to Bishwabhusan Harichandan that the Andhra Pradesh government had spying and tracking his movements with the help of the police. In his letter, he had stated that there was 24-hour surveillance outside his Hyderabad residence in Prashasan Nagar.

Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar has met Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan and requested for his reinstatement as per the High Court orders. Ramesh Kumar discussed his issue with the Governor for over half an hour. He informed the Governor about the court’s order and the need for his reinstatement as the State Election Commissioner. Mr. Harichandan has assured to look into the representation given by the former SEC. However, reports say that the Governor is considering to take legal opinion on the Ramesh Kumar issue.

Mr. Harichandan is stated to have been especially cautious in view of the ongoing tussle between the YSRCP government and the High Court on a variety of issues. At the same time, he will also have to consider the issue of the Jagan Reddy government knocking at the doors of the Supreme Court once again against the HC reinstatement orders.

After his meeting, Ramesh Kumar said he was confident of receiving a positive result soon. He said the Governor has patiently listened to his representation and assured to take appropriate measure in this regard.

It may be recalled the court has commented that the Governor has powers to appoint Ramesh Kumar as SEC if the government is continuing to remain indifferent.

Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, who was removed as SEC by the state government and reinstated by the High Court, will be meeting Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan on July 20.

Ramesh Kumar reportedly called up the Governor’s secretary who confirmed his appointment with the Governor on July 20. Ramesh Kumar will be seeking the Governor’s nod to reinstate him as State Election Commissioner as per the High Court directive.

Ramesh Kumar’s meeting with the Governor comes in the wake of the High Court giving a directive to approach the Governor seeking his restoration as the State Election Commissioner (SEC) under Article 243-K of the Constitution. On Friday, the HC observed that the Governor has the powers to appoint the SEC.

Further, the High Court also directed the Andhra Pradesh government to file a counter-affidavit explaining it’s position vis-a-vis the implementation of its earlier order.

Ramesh Kumar petitioned the High Court contending that its orders reinstating him as the SEC were not being implemented by the YCP government which amounts to contempt of court.

Ramesh Kumar also moved a contempt petition against the Jagan administration arguing that its order had not been complied with.

Kumar appealed to the HC to initiate contempt proceedings against chief secretary Nilam Sawhney and panchayat raj secretary for violating its order to reinstate him. The Chief Secretary had failed to honour the HC’s order despite writing several letters, Ramesh Kumar had contended.

The Jagan government also had to swallow a bitter pill in the Supreme Court. The SC had thrice refused to give a stay on the HC order as sought by the Jagan government through a Special Leave Petition and questioned its decision to bring out an ordinance to remove Ramesh Kumar.

Hearing a Special Leave Petition filed by the AP government seeking the Supreme Court to give a stay on HC verdict to reinstate Ramesh Kumar, a three-judge SC bench, comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hrishikesh Roy, had warned the government not to play with the constitutional functionaries.

It may be noted that Ramesh Kumar had put off elections to civic bodies citing the spread of coronavirus. However, in an act of vindictive politics, the Andhra Pradesh government removed Ramesh Kumar as the SEC by promulgating an ordinance which had reduced the SEC term from five to three years. In a tearing hurry, it had appointed retired Tamil Nadu judge Justice Kangaraju in Ramesh Kumar. The move was challenged by Ramesh Kumar in the High Court.

Ramesh Kumar had also dashed off a letter to Union Home Ministry stating that there was a grave risk to his life and that of his family members from the YSRCP leaders. Instead of reinstating Ramesh Kumar as SEC as directed by the HC, the YSRCP dispensation had ordered a CID probe into the letter sent by Ramesh Kumar to Union Home Ministry terming it fake.

While YSRCP Energy minister Balineni Srinivas Reddy on Friday indicated that the state government was mulling to move the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s verdict to reinstate Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar as State Election Commissioner, leaders cutting across all political parties welcomed the court’s verdict calling it a victory of democracy.

Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan on Friday took to his Twitter handle to hail the High Court verdict to reinstate Ramesh Kumar. “The verdict reimposed immense trust and faith in democracy, it has provided oxygen to democracy,” he tweeted.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sujana Chowdhury said Jagan had brought shame to the AP government and dragged its prestige to the streets. “Where was the necessity to bring an amendment through the back-door (in the form of an ordinance) to change the term and eligibility of the SEC? The Jagan government recieved a massive mandate of 151 seats in the Assembly, now this does not mean that the government will disregard the constitutional framework and democratic norms. It is high time Jagan realised that his government should work within the constitutional framework and that his government cannot stretch beyond its limitations and should uphold the dignity of judiciary. He should come out of his monarch mindset and focus on the welfare of the state. At least now, he should put politics aside and seriously work towards putting the wheels of the economy on the right path,” Sujana Chowdary advised.

“The ordinance to remove Nimmagadda Ramesh was passed in a hurry. Where was the need for the AP government to bring an ordinance. Further, the ordinance was passed by AP governor. The speed with which the government acted shows that it was an act of vendetta to remove Ramesh Kumar. This is a slap on the face of Jagan Mohan Reddy, an embarassment to the AP government. Repeatedly, the state government seems to be acting in defiance against courts which is not correct in democracy,” CPI general secretary K Narayana said.

Congress leader Tulasi Reddy said Jagan has no right to continue and he should step down. “Jagan and his government have no respect to judiciary. The High Court verdict is a slap on the face of Jagan. The elections to local bodies announced earlier should be cancelled and a fresh notification should be issued,” he said.

Senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao advised Jagan Mohan Reddy to respect the High Court’s verdict and desist from taking decisions that will bring disrepute to late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. “Jagan should focus on peoples issues. By taking wrong decisions, Jagan is bringing disrepute to his father. It is wrong to find faut with court verdicts. Jagan should rethink on his decision to shift Amaravati as the capital. Statements insulting judiciary is not a good sign. Jagan should give up his adamant and arrogant ways. Jagan has become CM at a very young, and he should not squander the massive mandate given by the AP people”. TDP leader Kesineni Nani said the verdict is a victory of democracy, while CPI’s Ramakrishna urged Jagan to uphold the rule of law and honour democratic values.

The High Court on Tuesday postponed the hearing on the affidavit filed by Nimmagadda. Ramesh Kumar, who was removed by the AP government through the promulgation of an ordinance

After hearing the arguments that lasted for more than five hours, the High Court has postponed the hearing to tomorrow. State Election Commission Secretary S Ramsundar Reddy informed the court that the petitioner Ramesh Kumar took the decision to defer the civic polls without consulting the State government officials concerned. Through the affidavit, Ramesh Kumar reportedly argued that the SEC had the discretionary powers to defer the elections to civic bodies and was under no obligation to reveal the factors that led to the postponement of the elections.

More than 13 petitions were filed challenging the government’s decision to remove Ramesh Kumar through an ordinance which had reduced the tenure of the SEC to three years from five years. Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan approved the the ordinance, amending the AP Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, thereby curtailing the SEC’s tenure from five to three years and also appointing a retired High Court judge Kanagaraj to the post.

The ordinance was challenged by former ministers Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, Kamineni Srinivas, CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna and an advocate Yogesh, also filed petitions challenging the ordinance and the removal of the SEC. Subsequently, the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the state government to file an affidavit on the removal of N Ramesh Kumar as the SEC.

Leader of Opposition and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu condemned the ousting of Ramesh Kumar as SEC, stating that Ramesh Kumar had saved people’s lives by postponing the local body polls in view of the pandemic.

In vendetta politics, the state government removed Ramesh Kumar after he deferred elections to civic bodies citing the outbreak of corona virus. The YSRCP leaders later resorted to personal attacks against Ramesh Kumar, even cast aspersions on the SEC chair. Jagan alleged that Ramesh Kumar had put off the elections at the behest of Chandrabbabu Naidu as both belong to the same social community. Ramesh Kumar shot off a letter to Union Home Secretary seeking police protection fearing a threat to his life and that of his family members. Even this was politicized by the YSRCP leadership and further targeted Ramesh Kumar by ordering a CID probe into the authenticity of the letter. The Opposition leaders called this witch-hunting and complained to the governor that the YSRCP leaders are resorting to personal attacks.

Reacting to former senior YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabja member Vijaysai Reddy’s allegation that the letter written by him to the Union home secretary was fake and forged one, former State Election Commissioner on Wednesday has put all speculations to rest by stating that the letter was indeed written by him. Ramesh Kumar shot off a letter to DGP Gautam Sawang in this regard.

In the letter to DGP, Ramesh Kumar said it was unfortunate that Vijaysai Reddy was making such allegations despite Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kishan Reddy confirming that he wrote letter to the Union Home Ministry. In the letter written to the Union Home Ministry, Ramesh Kumar sought protection from central forces for him and his family members as he feared physical attacks from the YSRCP leaders.

However, on Wednesday, Vijaysai Reddy raised serious doubts over the letter stating the tone and tenor of the letter indicates it might not have been written by Ramesh Kumar and asked the DGP to trace the IP address to find out from which system the letter was sent the Union home secretary. “It is fake and a forged letter,” YSRCP Rajya Sabha member wrote to the DGP.

Ramesh Kumar had written the letter after deferring the elections citing corona virus threat. At that time, not a single corona case was reported. The deferment of polls was challenged by the YSRCP in Supreme Court which upheld the SEC’s decision. The Opposition parties hailed the SEC decision saying the move has averted a big danger to the state in light of corona virus. In the meanwhile, the state government hurriedly moved an Ordinance to remove Ramesh Kumar by amending the AP Panchayati Raj Act, 19994, and cut short the tenure of SEC to three years from five years. The Opposition leaders termed the state government’s decision to remove Ramesh Kumr as undemocratic and said had it not been for him the situation in Andhra Pradesh could have been worse. Andhra Pradesh reported more than 500 cases thereafter with at least 11 deaths.