Andhra Pradesh Assembly passes resolution on not conducting Panchayat elections in February

Vijayawada: In an unprecedented move, Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution on Friday, the last day of the five-day winter session, stating that the State government would not conduct the Panchayat elections in the state in February in view of the Covid pandemic. The Assembly discussed various subjects, including coronavirus cases in the State and the measures taken by the government to control the Covid-19. Health Minister Alla Nani explained in detail how the Covid affected the people of Andhra Pradesh and pointed out more than 7,000 people died due to Covid. The Minister said the State Assembly unanimously resolved not to conduct the Panchayat elections in the State in February, 2021.

Finance and Legislative Affairs Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy felt that the elections for local bodies should be conducted in an atmosphere when it is conducive to the safety of the people and felt it is not safe to conduct the elections when the corona second wave continues in some parts of the country. The Finance Minister felt it is the responsibility of the government to save the lives, health and properties of people and elections should be conducted in a favourable atmosphere. Rajendranath recalled that the world is panicked with the second wave of Covid cases and reminded that the Supreme Court had asked the status of Covid cases in states like Maharashtra and Delhi in view of the Covid cases.

The resolution was passed in view of the efforts being made by the State Election Commission to hold Panchayat elections in February 2021. But, the State administrative machinery is not ready to conduct elections in view of the Covid cases reported among the employees working in various government departments particularly the Police, Revenue, Panchayat Raj and others. Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney categorically made it clear that the government is not ready to conduct panchayat polls in view of the Covid-19 and cases reported in the State, he pointed out.