In another blow to the AP government officials, who have been colluding with the ruling YSRCP, nakedly violating Election Code, the Election Commission has suspended Andhra Pradesh Secretariat Employees Union President Venkatrami Reddy.
EC took this action responding to the complaint made by TDP that he was participating in YCP poll campaign activities, after the announcement of the Election Schedule. He was directed not to go beyond the headquarters during his suspension.
Venkatarami Reddy conducted an election campaign in favor of YCP in Badwelu of Kadapa district. The EC took action based on the report given by the Kadapa District Collector. Reddy is working as an assistant secretary in the Panchayat Raj department and Rural Development Department.
He is the President of the Secretariat Employees’ Union and the President of the State Government Employees’ Union. On March 31, Challa Chandraiah, the President of the State Union of Public Transport Department Employees, in the combined Kadapa district, along with some others, conducted an election campaign on behalf of the YCP.
The EC received complaints that Venkatrami Reddy had conducted campaigning and distributed pamphlets on behalf of the YCP at Badwelu, Maidukuru, Proddatur and Kadapa RTC depots. In this regard, RTC management has suspended 11 employees on March 31. But the state government showed indifference on the issue of suspending Reddy.
The EC suspension order also stated that suspension under the AP Conduct Rules-1964 would also be applicable for speaking in favor of a political party while being a government employee or a union leader. Venkatrami Reddy is actually a Section Officer in the Panchayat Raj Department. Presently working in the post of Incharge Assistant Secretary.
The Election Commission ordered the suspension of Venkatrami Reddy on March 8. The file was circulated among various levels of officials in the GAD till March 13 and delayed in taking action. On March 14th, Chief Secretary Jawahar Reddy was approached but no action was taken till March 18th.
On Thursday, the Panchayat Raj Department issued an order to suspend Venkatrami Reddy. During the suspension, Venkatrami Reddy was ordered not to go beyond Amaravati, Guntur and Vijayawada without the permission of the government. Departmental action is pending against Venkatrami Reddy.
