Hyderabad: Nara Chandrababu Naidu, AP chief minister, has come down heavily on the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its unilateral decisions that put Andhra Pradesh in a jeopardy state as cyclone Fani ravaging the Coastal Andhra. Naidu has further lambasted the EC’s silence over his recent letter seeking exemption of Andhra Pradesh from Model Code of Election.
“How can a chief minister be silent during the turbulent days as cyclone Fani hitting the state adversely. Citing the reason of Election Code, how can I afford to remain indoors. If I am not taking any concrete action ensuring relieve works for the people in the cyclone-hit areas, then there’s no meaning of the government elected by the people. If needed, I’ll visit the cyclone-hit areas,” remarked Naidu, while reviewing the situation in Coastal Andhra with the officials at Amaravati on Thursday.
Naidu expressed concerns over the attitude of EC as it didn’t respond to his letter. Naidu wrote the letter asking EC to exempt Andhra Pradesh from the Election Code. The EC should immediately act at least during the present emergency situations, added Naidu.
“I have been maintaining silence just to avoid rift among the institutions of central government and state government. I respect federal structure of the country and expect the same from the central government. There’s no need of issuing fresh GOs during the emergency situations. Moreover, there’s no need of taking approval of ED for GOs, which is overindulged in the state government’s affairs. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is trying split official mechanism in Andhra Pradesh. I have been silent on this as I am more tolerant. But, when such acts disturb public life, I wouldn’t keep silence,” maintained Naidu.
Naidu said that polling for Assembly and Lok Sabha seats was over and no issue can influence voters. Why EC, in the name of Election Code, is trying to create hurdles for the state government preventing us from delivering civic services to the public?
