LV takes charge as CS of AP, who is next in EC firing line?

LV Subrahmanyam, a 1983 batch IAS officer, assumed office as the chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh this morning.

LV as he is known among his collegues is the senior most IAS officer. But he was bypassed and the Chandrababu Naidu’s government appointed a junior officer Anil Chandra Punetha (1984 batch ) as chief secretary.

However, following complaints from Opposition YSR Congress, the Election Commission of India on Friday evening removed Punetha and appointed LV as chief secretary. It also directed LV to take charge immediately.

The shunting out of Punetha is a first of its kind disciplinery action against a chief secretary  of any state by the EC.This has resulted in visible friction between chief minister Naidu and EC.

The shifting of Punetha, who is not given any posting,follows a meeting in EC. Punetha was summoned by the EC a couple of days ago to inquire into the reappointment of AB Venkateswar Rao as DG, Intelligence, despite the directive to do so.

According to reports, the EC was not convinced by the logic put forth by Punetha and the result was this transfer.

Sources in the government said he told EC that he had signed the GO reappoining AB Venkateswar Rao as DG, intelligence, following advice from senior colleagues in the government as DG intelligence has nothing to with elections.. This, however, failed to cut much ice with EC.

LV Subrahmanya was an accused in Emmar land scam. He is not fully cleared of charges that he was instrumental in trasferring about 550 acres to Emmar Properties causing huge loss to the state during the regin of YS Rajasekhar Reddy.

LV was CMD of APIIC. He was acquitted from the case by then High Court of Andhra Pradesh. But CBI, which is investigating the case, is yet to challenge the HC order in Supreme Court.

His close association with YSR regime had gone against his appointment as chief minister by Naidu’s government.

Chief minister Naidu immediately termed the removal of Punetha as vindictive, and accused that the EC was working at the behest of Modi’s government.

This is the the third time in10 days  disciplinery procedings initiated against high ranking official of the state, after removal of intellience chief, and divesting DGP of his ACB responsibilities.

The buzz in the corridors of power is that the next target would be DGP Thakur himself. Already, the opposition YSRC approached the EC with a plea that DG be be removed to ensure free and fair elections in the state.

Everybody in police headquarters is anxiously watching the EC for its next move. The mantle is likely to fall on Gautham Sawang, a 1986 batch IPS officer, in case EC issues marching orders to Thakur.

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