It is already widely circulated that the next AP Intelligence Chief will be Stephen Ravindra, who is a 1999 batch IPS officer. But there is no chance any more for him to work in AP. The Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, has not given permission for his inter-cadre deputation. Stephen is presently Inspector General of Hyderabad Range. Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments have okayed his deputation earlier.

There are two versions being heard in this issue. Stephen has reached super time scale. The Centre would not usually allow deputation of those officers who reached this scale. However, this may be considered for reasons of life threat or such valid reasons. The other version is that the BJP leaders are not ready to extend full cooperation with the YCP government.

In the next three years, BJP wants to strengthen itself in AP. It is taking a serious view of YCP’s game plan to increase its Christian vote bank.

Stephen was known for his close relations with the YSR family. His father was also a retired police officer who had close association with YSR family. The rejection of Stephen’s deputation has come as a big shock to YCP.