Follow HC orders on Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar as SEC: Governor

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan directed the Andhra Pradesh government to implement the decision of Andhra Pradesh High Court for restoration of Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumara as the State Election Commissioner (SEC).

The Andhra Pradesh High Court directed Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar to meet the Governor for his reinstatement as the SEC.Ramesh Kumar met the Governor a couple of days ago and he stated that he represented his case for facilitating assumption of charge forthwith as the SEC. “The Governor gave a sympathetic hearing and assured me that he would look into the issue represented,” Ramesh Kumar said and added that he was optimistic of an early and favourable outcome as well as a resolution of the issue through the intervention of Governor.

The Governor in his letter to Andhra Pradesh government mentioned that after carefully examining the representation, the order in the contempt case and the High Court order, he has been pleaded to direct the government for taking necessary action as per the directions of the High Court.

Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar was removed as the SEC on April 10 through an Ordinance by reducing his term from five to three years.The Andhra Pradesh government also appointed retired Judge V. Kanagaraj as the new SEC. The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was unhappy with Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar for postponing the local body elections in March, on grounds of Covid-19.

The High Court heard Ramesh Kumar’s case and asked the Andhra Pradesh government to file a reply to why its order was not complied with. The HC also directed Ramesh to meet the Governor for his reinstatement. The High Court posted the case to July 24 for the next hearing