Chandrababu Naidu is CM without powers, says Andhra CS

Amaravati: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu does not enjoy any power as regular chief minister and cannot conduct the review meetings as he wants to do. In an exclusive chat with The Hans India, chief secretary LV Subramanyam said that Naidu's tenure would end on May 23 as soon as the result would be announced by the Election Commission.

He said technically Naidu is not caretaker chief minister, but the fact is he is CM without powers. Naidu will have to lay down office after May 23 if he does not get re-elected. Stating constitutional position, the chief secretary said that if TDP wins then Naidu will take oath soon after May 23 or else YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will take oath as CM depending on the auspicious day which could be May 24 or any other day. Whosoever becomes the CM, the state administration then will have to cooperate with them, he said.

Reacting to the claims of TDP leaders that their government has time till June 7, Subramanyam said, "There is no provision in the Constitution of India to allow anyone as the Chief Minister after announcement of election results. The only provision in the Constitution of India is the tenure of any elected Assembly is five years. That does not mean that the CM of the day can continue even after results have been announced."

Asked what would happen if there was any emergency situation and, in such cases, too the CM should be idle, the chief secretary explained that on emergency grounds CM can guide the administration within the rules and regulations of Model Code of Conduct but that too should be through a proper channel. The proper channel in this case is the chief secretary, he said.

Subramanyam further said that Naidu had never called him for any review meetings so far from April 6 to date. Replying to another question, he said he had facilitated a review of Chief Electoral Officer Gopal Krishna Dwivedi with all the districts collectors and other election staff on security with regard to strong rooms, counting day preparations and that was very much within the rules and procedure.

He said TDP leaders have been making all kinds of comments without having basic legal knowledge.

He said he had to take this decision as the boss of all bureaucrats as some of the collectors and other officials did not cooperate with the CEO and he had sought his help. Hence, we together conducted the video conference with the district collectors and other administrative machinery, Subramanyam said.

When asked about the criticism launched by Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu against chief secretary that he did not release money to the TDP flagship welfare schemes like Annadata Sukhibhava, Pasupu Kunkuma and others - Subramanyam said there was no truth in these allegations. "If Ramakrishnudu had any doubts, let him directly meet and speak. I never directed the Finance Department to stop the release of funds for the ongoing welfare schemes," he said.