Noted writer and Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah has called the discrimination allegedly shown by Election Commission of India (ECI) among the States in implementing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as a manifestation of the bureaucracy coming under the ideological influence of political parties. Another instance of the civil servants crossing the line was Chief Secretary (CS) L.V. Subrahmanyam’s refusal to recognise the authority of the Chief Minister, which amounted to making a mockery of the Constitution. As far as the conduct of the CS was concerned, Mr. Ilaiah said he might have personal prejudices but he could not defy the powers of the Chief Minister. The CS should attend the Cabinet meeting even if he was not invited, as it was his responsibility and differ with the Chief Minister if any decisions that violate the MCC were taken there, he added.

Source: The Hindu May 09, 2019 17:37 UTC