By Vishwapati
Patna: Following the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has made a significant move. On Monday, an order was issued to remove the home secretaries from six states, including Bihar. According to the commission, this directive was made with the intention of ensuring fair elections. The Election Commission has removed Bihar’s home secretary, S Siddharth.
Along with this, the Election Commission has removed the home secretaries from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The Election Commission has also removed the DGP of West Bengal.
On March 16, while announcing the Lok Sabha election dates, the Election Commission stated unequivocally that all officers who have been stationed in the same location for more than three years will be changed.
It should be noted that prior to this, Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar personally visited Bihar and thoroughly investigated the situation. According to reports, action has been taken against S Siddharth in connection with this.
Siddharth is regarded to be more loyal to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party, Janata Dal (United), which is why he has been kept under surveillance. More officers will now face consequences. Previously, even before the declaration of elections, chief secretary Aamir Subhani was removed, and 1989 batch IAS Brajesh Mehrotra was appointed chief secretary.
Brajesh Mehrotra took over on March 4. The Election Commission stated that this measure was taken to provide an even playing field in elections. This action by the Election Commission sends a clear message that the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 will be held at the same level.
The Election Commission also suspended West Bengal’s DGP from election duty during the 2016 state assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Along with this, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, as well as other commissioners and deputy commissioners, have been removed. The general administrative department (GAD) secretaries in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh have also been sacked.
The author is former senior journalist of Dainik Hindustan, Patna
