SC junks Andhra govt's plea challenging SEC's poll schedule; slams 'Ego of 2 authorities'

Expressing disapproval over ongoing tussle between Andhra Presh government and State election commissioner (SEC) Ramesh Kumar, Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Jagan govt's plea challenging SEC's decision to hold gram panchayat polls. ting that elections were held in more difficult conditions than COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Supreme court said that 'Ego was leing to lawlessness' while refusing to interfere in decision of SEC to hold gram panchayat polls. SEC has alrey anunced 4-phase rural body polls in February. 

Andhra HC suspends SEC schedule for Gram Panchayat polls, rules in favour of Jagan govt

SC dismisses Jagan's challenge to polls

bench heed by Justice SK Kaul observed, "Ego problems between two authorities is leing to lawlessness. We cant allow lawlessness. How can a resolution be passed against Ramesh Kumar? Elections have been held in far more difficult conditions and successfully." Supreme court said that ' we cant be a part of this ego battle' ding it 'will t interfere in decision of state election commission'.

SEC issues tification for gram panchayat elections in AP

Andhra HC allows SEC to hold polls

On Thursday, as per reports, a 2-judge Andhra HC bench overruled a single-judge bench's order staying SEC from holding gram panchayat polls in February. Subsequently, SEC issued a tification anuncing four-phase polls on February 5,9,13 and 17. First phase polls will be held in districts including Srikakulam, Vishakhapatnam, East Godavari, Krishna, Nellore, Anantapur etc. Challenging SEC's decision, Jagan government h moved SC seeking a stay on holding gram panchayat polls claiming that 'elections and vaccination drive cant happen simultaneously'. Previously, on January 12, a single judge HC bench h stayed polls, which was challenged by SEC in High Court.

Andhra State Election Commissioner seeks security citing YSRCP threats for deferring polls

Jagan Vs SEC

Incidentally, at start of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Andhra Presh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy lashed out at State Election Commissioner Ramesh Kumar for arbitrarily postponing of rural and urban local body elections. Claiming that his predecessor Chandrababu Naidu h appointed Commissioner of 'his own caste', he slammed transfer of collectors of Chittoor and Guntur districts, saying that if SEC is authorizing such transfers, 'Why was a government needed?'. He has also complained to Goverr Biswabhusan Harichandan on postponing of polls and h moved apex court challenging it.

Mamata Banerjee breaks silence on her speech boycott; claims 'Was teased in PM's presence'

local body polls which were scheduled for 21-29 March, were postponed by  Andhra Presh State Election Commission (APSEC) by six weeks due to coronavirus scare and also owing to incidents of violence being reported since election dates were anunced. SEC pointed out 23 forced withdrawals and 55 incidents of violence perpetrated by ruling party  - YSRCP against BJP and TDP, seeking protection from Home Ministry. In environment of psychological terror and current pandemic, Kumar asked permission to operate from Hyderab, raising apprehensions on State police.