Somesh Kumar repatriation: Is KCR using CS transfer to expand BRS' footprints in Andhra

Amaravati: For the last two days, the transfer and appointment of Telangana chief secretary in Andhra Pradesh has been in the news. Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and Centre have been at loggerheads over the cadre service. However, KCR has now stepped back as the High court has ordered the immediate transfer of the chief secretary.

The transfer has also given rise to various political speculations. Rumors have it that CM KCR is trying to fulfill his hidden political motives to expand BRS. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the Centre had re-positioned IAS and IPS officers who were working in the undivided state. The repositioning of officers was suggested by the Pratyush Sinha committee.

In this process, Somesh Kumar, an IAS officer of the 1989 batch from Bihar, was allotted to Andhra Pradesh by the DoPT. Somesh opposed his transfer and moved to the CAT and secured a stay order.

DoPT moved to HC in 2017 seeking suspension of the CAT order. A division bench of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Surepalli Nanda allowed the writ petition.

Putting the controversy to rest, Telangana High Court on Tuesday set aside the orders of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) that enabled Somesh Kumar to continue as Chief Secretary of the state.

What is BRS's political bait behind transfer of chief secretary?

A day after the HC's order, the Telangana government issued orders appointing Shanti Kumari, an IAS officer of the 1989 batch, as the new Chief Secretary. She became the first women Chief Secretary of the state.

Born on April 7, 1965, Shanthi Kumari is from Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, and holds a post-graduate degree in Marine Biology. She pursued MBA in the US and worked with the United Nations programmes for two years. Her appointment got a political color when the newly appointed AP BRS leaders met and greeted her.

Their meeting sparked speculations that BRS is pushing expansion agenda in Andhra Pradesh. Shanti Kumari belongs to the Kapu community. Her meeting with the key Kapu leaders of BRS's AP unit ignited speculations that CM KCR is trying to woo the community in a bid to debut in Andhra Pradesh.

Despite having the option to seek review, KCR and Somesh Kumar accepted the high court order. On June 16 last year, the Telangana government told the high court that they want to retain Somesh Kumar and AP too has no objection. Hence, they claimed that there was no reason for the Centre to hold any grievance.

However, sources said that KCR built good relations with Somesh Kumar. Considering his plans to expand BRS presence in Bihar and Delhi, he had convinced Somesh Kumar to not file review petition.

Now it will be thrilling to see if Somesh Kumar continues his services here or takes the decision about early retirement. He is set to meet CM Jagan and AP Chief Secretary Jawahar tomorrow. He is expected to make his decision after the meeting