HYDERABAD (PTI): The fate of Andhra Pradesh chief minister K.Vijayabhaskar Reddy hangs in the balance following the election commission’s refusal to hold early by-election to the Pan Yam assembly seat.
Reddy, a former union law minister, who still retains the Lok Sabha scat, is required to fulfill the constitutional obligation of getting collected to the assembly within six months of his assumption of office that is before April 9.
The election commission’s observation that it was inappropriate to change the program of revision of rolls to suit the convenience of one individual has triggered an electoral controversy and caused severe embarrassment to the state administration.
The state government had asked the election commission to advance the date of publication of rolls for Pan Yam constituency in order to hold election before March 10, when the assembly’s budget session is likely to begin.
The revision of electoral roll in the constituency is scheduled for completion on March 9.
In the past, by-elections have been held even when registration of rolls was in progress, on the basis of the earlier list of voters. Even in Andhra Pradesh, by-election in Rajampet consistency was held while the registration process was still in progress.
The sitting ruling party member from Pan Yam, K Rambhpol Reddy resigned on Jan.11 to enable the chief minister, his political mentor, get elected from this constituency.
The other option for Reddy was to contest from Rayachou, which is also stronghold of Congress
Election could also be held in Pan Yam with election commission permitting minor technical adjustments in the schedule of publication of fresh rolls in the constituency.
However, the election commission has chosen to hold simultaneous poll in both Rayachou and Pan Yam which fall in Reddy’s home district, Kurnool.
Reddy may choose either but he must be hoping that there would.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 22, 1993
