Telugu Desam Party leader and former Rajya Sabha member Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar said that DGP Rajendranath Reddy and Chief Secretary Jawahar Reddy should be transferred immediately if elections are to be held smoothly in the state. He spoke about law and order in the state during a media conference held in Delhi.
He recalled that long back they had urged EC to act against DGP and Chief Secretary. But unfortunately till now no action was taken against them. Though they are expected to act under the control of the Election Commission, Ravindra Kumar deplored that even after Election Code, they are following only Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy’s directions.
He said they can not expect free and fair polls if the administration in the state is headed by the present DGP and Chief Secretary. He asked the EC to take immediate action against the crimes committed so far and to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly. He expresses fears that YSRCP leaders are likely to create conflicts on the polling day and resorts to law and order breakdown.
EC has identified only 14 assembly constituencies in the state as problematic areas. But, he deplored that key constituencies like Pulivendula and Kuppam are not included in that list. He said that already the ruling party people are creating problems in Kuppam.
Therefore, he urged Election Commission authorities to ensure that the elections are held smoothly in Kuppam as well. He asked to provide special forces in all the problematic constituencies and areas. Also special central poll observers should be deployed to directly monitor election management.
He said that webcasts should be provided in all problematic areas. He said it is the duty of the Election Commission to create confidence among voters that they can vote freely.
