It appears yet another setback is in store for Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu with regard to the conduct of cabinet meeting.
Chief Secretary L V Subrahmanyam, who has been refusing to see the chief minister ever since he was appointed by the Election Commission on April 6, is said to be not keen on calling for the cabinet meeting.
On Tuesday, when he received a communication from Chief Minister’s Office asking him for making arrangements for the cabinet meeting, Subrahmanyam simply forwarded the same to Chief Electoral Officer Gopal Krishna Dwivedi.
He held a meeting with Dwivedi first to discuss the possibility of holding the cabinet meeting.
Later, he called the CMO officials and told them bluntly that he would only go by the Election Commission directions. He would call for cabinet notes from the department officials only after getting the nod from the EC.
“When the model code of conduct is in force, cabinet meetings cannot be held unless it is an emergency agenda. As such, I don’t foresee the need for cabinet meeting. Let EC take a call,” he said.
But, Naidu has not given up his attempt. He asked the CMO officials to prepare a fresh note along with agenda points, calling for the cabinet meeting on May 14, rather than on May 10. Subrahmanyam is yet to respond on the same.
Dwivedi told media that any cabinet meeting would have to be held only in accordance with the election code of conduct. The political leaders and officials have to act as per the election code.
He said the model code of conduct books have already been sent to all the political parties and the officers.
“If there are any doubts, then the committee under the Chief Secretary should consider and take the decision. The code of conduct books have all the details regarding the work and the limitations which have to be followed,” he said.