Jagan govt reinstates sacked state election commissioner

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday has reinstated Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar as the state election commissioner. A gazette notification was issued subsequently restoring the position of SEC to Ramesh Kumar.

The notification, which was signed by Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan, said the reinstatement would be subject to the outcome of the state government’s plea in the Supreme Court against the high court ruling. On 10 April, Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy had removed Ramesh Kumar from the post of SEC through an Ordinance.

Based on the petition filed by Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, the AP High Court has termed the Ordinance Illegal and unconstitutional. Later Andhra Pradesh’s government filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order. The apex court refused to permit any stay on the High Court orders. Many people in the ruling YSRCP expressed doubts whether the government would allow him to function as the case is still pending before the Supreme Court.

 As per The Daily Guardian’s sources, the restoration would be only on papers. The government may not implement any orders from the State Election Commission.