Home Minister N. Chinarajappa has taken exception to Chief Secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam reviewing the counting arrangements.
“Such actions are undesirable in a democratic set-up,” Mr. Chinarajappa told the media here on Friday.
Questioning the propriety of the Chief Secretary in holding a review meeting on the preparedness for counting of votes and security at the strongrooms, he said it was entirely the prerogative of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
From the day the election notification was released, only the EC was entitled to take decisions and none else, the Home Minister said.
Snipe at Modi
“It is also unfair on the part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to control the State through the Chief Secretary,” he said, and cited the transfers of senior bureaucrats to substantiate his point. Several elections had been conducted earlier, but never did such violations took place, he observed.
“The role of the Chief Minister is vital in the smooth functioning of the administration in the post-poll scenario as well. How can Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Baidu be faulted for conducting review meetings to address drinking water problem and such other pressing issues?” the Home Minister questioned.
“The Chief Secretary has overstepped his brief by saying that the Chief Minister cannot conduct review meetings with the officials,” he said.
‘Why single out Naidu?’
“When the Prime Minister and Telangana Chief Minister are holding review meetings, how can Mr. Naidu be singled out?” he questioned.
Referring to the TTD gold controversy, he said the officials should brief the State government about the report submitted by the Special Chief Secretary Manmohan Singh.
“The Tirumala temple is revered by many across the globe. But unfortunately, a few persons with vested interests are trying to tarnish its image,” he said.
Earlier, Mr. Chinarajappa took part in the weekly ‘abhishekam’ of the Lord inside the temple.