In a sensational move, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has transferred the Andhra Pradesh DGP K Rajendranath Reddy on Sunday evening, just a week ahead of the polling. The EC has taken this crucial decision on the opposition’s complaints that the DGP and several other officials are colluding with the ruling YSR Congress Party in the state and violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The ECI issued orders to the Chief Secretary to transfer the DGP immediately. The poll panel has also asked the DGP to hand over charge to the next in rank officer instantly. It has directed the Chief Secretary to provide a list of three DGP rank officers by 11 am on Monday for selection as the next DGP.
The Chief Secretary has also been instructed not to give any election duties to Rajendranath Reddy. The transfer of DGP K V Rajendranath Reddy created ripples in the Telugu states at a time when there is a strong fight between the YSRCP and the TDP-BJP-Janasena alliance in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections being simultaneously held with the Lok Sabha election 2024.
The opposition parties have been criticising from the beginning that Rajendranath Reddy was not discharging his duties impartially and that he was acting like a YSRCP activist. In several representations to the ECI they have been demanding for his transfer.
Rajendranath Reddy also faced allegations that false cases were being filed leading to illegal arrests of opposition leaders during his tenure. The TDP-BJP-Janasena leaders have also alleged that their genuine complaints against the atrocities of the ruling YSRCP leaders were ignored.
Moreover, they have been objecting for continuing him as In-charge DGP for more than two years, without appointing a `regular DGP’.
