Unexpected move! Election Commission removes Chief Secretary; MK Stalin cries foul

CHENNAI: The Election Commission implemented an unexpected move in Tamil Nadu ahead of the state elections. The Commission ordered the appointment of M. Saikumar as the new Chief Secretary, replacing Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam. In addition to the Chief Secretary, the Vigilance Chief has also been replaced. Senior IPS officer Sandeep Mittal is the new Vigilance Chief.

The Election Commission said that the action was taken following complaints that the former chief secretary was taking a pro-DMK stance. It is reported that the new Vigilance Chief is an officer who worked previously as the secretary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin came out with strong criticism against the Election Commission. Stalin alleged that the Election Commission has become a weapon of the BJP and called it a unilateral decision. Stalin asked why these changes were not made in states ruled by the BJP. The chief minister said that the people will respond to such authoritarianism in the upcoming polls. He added that the central government is misusing the mechanisms that should work impartially.