The Chandrababu Naidu government on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat Employees Association (APSEA) for alleged violations of the election code during the assembly and Lok Sabha polls held in May.
The notice was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) seeking to know why the association’s recognition should not be cancelled.
Apparently, the government took serious note of APSEA president K Venkatarami Reddy's open support to the YSR Congress party and his participation in the election campaign while serving as a government employee.
The state government had suspended Venkatarami Reddy in April following a directive from the Election Commission of India.
He was serving as assistant secretary in the Panchayat Raj department, while he participated in the campaigning by the YSRCP at Badvel bus depot in Kadapa district.
Then opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India. It had also submitted to the poll panel videos purportedly showing Reddy seeking support for the ruling party.
The show cause notice said why the APSEA did not sack Reddy from the president’s post for violating the model code of conduct. The GAD stated that it was not consulted about activities taking place outside the Secretariat.
The government may cancel the recognition of APSEA if it does not find satisfactory the explanation given by the Association.
Responding to the government’s notice, APSA Secretary Krishna and other office bearers clarified that Venkatarami Reddy’s involvement in the election campaign was purely in a personal capacity.
They made it clear that this does not reflect the association’s official stance or action. Krishna and other office bearers also urged the government not to cancel the recognition of an organisation for the mistake of an individual.
They said none of the other office bearers were involved in any such activities and were not responsible for the activities occurred outside the premises of Secretariat by the President.
“Action can be taken against the President if such violations are done,” the association said.