Not possible for local body elections in AP without govt's consent: JC Diwakar Reddy

In Andhra Pradesh, there is an ongoing stir on the conduction of local body elections after State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar decided that elections would be held in February. It seems that the state government is not willing to conduct elections while Chief Secretary to the government Nilam Sawhney and several other ministers have said that the conduction of elections in the wake of the coronavirus is not possible at present, which has led to a heated debate. It was in this context that TDP senior leader JC Diwakar Reddy made sensational remarks on the latest developments.

He said that only the state election commission could not hold the elections, there should be cooperation from the government for that. He said it was the government that had to provide the money to the authorities and commented that he do not think that the elections will be held in the state as the Election Commission had said. He opined that the CM would go to any extent to stop elections as the government intended not to hold elections.

Meanwhile, state election commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar met Governor Bishwabhushan Harichandan at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday morning. It is learnt that Ramesh Kumar has discussed with the governor the need to hold elections on this occasion and the steps taken so far on the elections. SEC, on the other hand, is reportedly planning to file a petition in the high court on the conduct of local body elections in the state.