The BJP in Andhra has accused Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of abuse of power following the sudden transfer of Chief Secretary L V Subramanyam.
Andhra BJP chief Kanna Lakshmi Narayana said that the Chief Secretary’s abrupt transfer showcases the dictatorial nature of the CM. “It's atrocious to transfer officials who work with commitment,” he said.
Further, he added that not just governance, but the government was also moving backwards in the YSRCP’s term.
Speaking to TNM, BJP leader and spokesperson Lanka Dinakar said that the former Chief Secretary was targeted as he took the sentiments of people into consideration. “He issued instructions about the voluntary transfer of non-Hindu employees in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), as there were allegations of Christian conversions in Tirupati, and took the sentiments and concerns of the people into consideration. This and his transfer are related,” he alleged.
The Andhra Pradesh government appointed L V Subramanyam as the Director-General of the AP Human Resources Development Institute in Bapatla. The orders were issued by Praveen Prakash, Principal Secretary (Political) of the General Administration Department — considered to be a lower-ranking official.
Lanka Dinakar noted, "Although the transfers are the government’s prerogative, this unceremonious transfer, done without following existing procedure, is abrupt and sets a wrong precedent. We will definitely bring this to the notice of the Union government.”
The move apparently came following a tiff between officials in the Chief Minister's Office officials and LV Subramanyam. The former Chief Secretary reportedly sought an explanation on why due procedure was not followed during the cabinet meeting held last week.
However, the BJP’s top rung remains tight-lipped about the Union government’s possible intervention into the episode, speculation is rife that LV Subramanyam may ask to be deputed in the Central Civil Services.
On Wednesday, a new Chief Secretary was appointed.