As the local body elections are likely to be taken up in AP in February, the government is busy chalking out a strategy against it and mulls citing the second wave of corona as the reason for its reluctance. The government is ready with a recent report by the Department of Medical Health to show if the court questions it.
According to the department, given the current situation in the state, the second wave is likely to come after January 15. It is becoming clear that the way chosen is to say that elections cannot be taken up in February. In the state where 10,000 cases were registered per day has now gradually reduced to 100. However, the medical health department has predicted a second wave of corona in Andhra Pradesh as well, citing conditions in states like Delhi and Kerala.
Likely to come with a five-month gap!
It is to be noted that at a time when the elections are held smoothly in neighbouring states, the state government is not comparing with those states but it compares the second wave with the foreign countries and states that the second wave comes after five months and this has happened even in Delhi. AP had high intensity in August and September and then it gradually decreased. Experts say there will be a second wave five months later, between January 15 and March 15.
An advisory committee with seven experts
The government has appointed a seven-member advisory committee to look into the second wave in the state. Three specialists are working in a government hospital while three others are from a private hospital. The seven-member panel of experts submitted a report on the possibility of a second wave of the coronavirus.
Delaying tactics due to fear of defeat
The YSRCP government seems to be visualizing the State Election Commissioner whenever there is a talk of local body elections. The commission has repeatedly written letters to the government asking it to cooperate in the conduct of elections, and court rulings in several states have come against the government. There are several reasons like making unanimous elections, threats from opponents and that the fear of rigging in polling booths will not be possible. This has resulted in making the government look for options to postpone the elections.
Everyone knows why CM YS Jagan, who had claimed about co-existing with Corona and that paracetamol is enough for fever, is afraid of now. The State Election Commission with its discretionary powers postponed the elections during the lockdown.
There were many controversies around the local body elections like appointing someone else in the place of Nimmagadda, insisting that elections should be held immediately, questioning the SEC how it can take decisions unilaterally without consulting the government. Subsequently, the Centre gradually increased the lock-down and implemented the unlock process in stages, keeping in view the economic conditions of the country and revenue, so that normalcy prevails across the country.
The situation is now normal
Wine shops, bars, restaurants, movie theatres, parks, and finally educational institutions have also been opened. Subsequent by-elections and general elections were held in many parts of the country. Greater elections in Telangana ended peacefully. It is not surprising that the government has repeatedly made the same excuse that there is a risk of reoccurrence of coronavirus and elections cannot be held at present. It would have saved its prestige if the government looked for another reason than Corona.
There has been opposition to the government on all sides in recent times. It seems that defeat is inevitable if elections are held under these circumstances. The rise of the BJP in the Telugu states is also causing concern.
