Election Commission sacks UP Principal Secretary

Taking serious note of “partial conduct” as an impediment to free and fair elections, the Election Commission on Tuesday ordered the removal of Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Home) from his post with immediate effect for “dereliction of duty” after receiving complaints from some political parties.

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The State Chief Electoral Officer Anuj Bishnoi asked the State Government to send a panel of three names by 3 pm on Wednesday to replace the Principal Home Secretary Kunwar Fateh Bahadur Singh. Singh was also the principal secretary of personnel department and had been the principal secretary to the chief minister.

The Election Commission did not divulge the reason for removal but sources in the Commission said all the three opposition parties—the Congress, Samajwadi Party and BJP—had complained about Singh and few others’ partial conduct while discharging duty.

In addition, the Commission had also ordered the transfer of one inspector and two sub-inspectors posted in Gorakhpur.

In a separate move, EC has also ordered the removal of the Collector, D G Jhalavadia, of Amreli in Gujarat. The Congress had complained against the collector for not discharging duty fairly.

Few leaders are also under poll panel’s scanner for making inflammatory remarks against their political opponents and violating the model code of conduct. While Rabri Devi has been booked for her alleged derogatory remarks against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at an election rally, her husband and RJD leader Lalu Prasad and Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief D Srinivas have been accused of making hate speeches against BJP political novice Varun Gandhi.

The Samajwadi Party candidate Abu Asim Azmi from North-West Mumbai has come under panel’s scanner on the alleged doling out money.