CEO says he was functioning strictly under norms
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Gopal Krishna Dwivedi, who has been accused by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's of 'exceeding his jurisdiction' in implementing the Model Code of Conduct, asserted Friday that he was functioning strictly as per norms.
"I will not react to what the Chief Minister wrote in the letter (to the Chief Election Commissioner). I will only implement the instructions issued by the CEC," Dwivedi told reporters here.
The Chief Minister had written to the CEC Sunil Arora, alleging that the CEO was "exceeding his jurisdiction" in the name of implementing the Model Code of Conduct (for elections).
Naidu, in particular, took exception to the bar being imposed on holding official review meetings and contended that the ECI has "no authority" to bar an elected government from discharging its legitimate duties entrusted by the Constitution of India.
"I am not taking my own decisions. I am strictly going by the book and implementing the CECs orders," Dwivedi said when reporters sought his reaction.
On the Chief Ministers charge that the ECI was discriminating against Andhra Pradesh, the CEO said he would not comment on political issues.
"I am not concerned if MCC is being implemented or not in other states. The ECI will look into it.
I have already circulated copies of the MCC to all political parties and candidates.
I am only following whats in the MCC," the CEO asserted.
