The Election Commission has all the evidences to prove the large scale electoral malpractices being committed by the Telugu Desam Party government headed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
According to reports, EC had taken the decision to transfer state intelligence chief A B Venkateshwar Rao and SPs of Srikakulam and Kadapa, only after ascertaining all the facts following a complaint by the YSRC leaders.
“It was a decision taken by the full bench of the EC in the wake of complaints received from multiple sources. EC has its own ways and means to investigate, ascertain facts, come to the conclusions,” a source in the EC said.
He said with regard to allegations of telephone tapping, the EC has all the communications (letters) to this effect, which clearly establishes culpability.
“It is only a sample. Actually a criminal case should have been registered against the Concerned for illegally tapping,” the EC source said.
He pointed out that the action taken by the ECI was only a simple transfer of certain officials, who have come to its adverse notice. “There is no punitive action yet. There were complaints against their actions and conduct which does not arouse confidence in all sections towards free and fair elections,” he said.
All officials and official machinery are under the EC with the sole objective to conduct free and fair elections. Therefore it’s not only well within the ambit of responsibility of the EC, but an obligation on it to change them even if there is a slightest of suspicion, the EC source said.
On the concerns expressed over the security of the chief minister, the EC source said it was taken care of mainly by the NSG, Black Cat commandos and there is a separate wing of AP Security Wing which takes care of the CMs Security.
“An IPS officer of SP rank exclusively takes care of CM Security and coordinates on a day to day basis. Two SP rank officers are PSOs to the CM and a DIG rank heads the separate and exclusive AP Security Wing. Therefore the chief of intelligence does not matter in the scheme of things on a daily basis,” he said.