Stalin Slams Sudden Transfer of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and DGP, Calls It Unjustified Move
Chief Secretary and DGP replaced amid opposition complaints; CM questions timing and intent
Tamil Nadu, Apr 09 : In a major administrative development ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23, the Election Commission of India has ordered a reshuffle of key state officials, triggering a sharp political response from Chief Minister M. K. Stalin.
The poll body on Wednesday replaced Chief Secretary N Muruganandam with senior IAS officer M Sai Kumar. Simultaneously, DGP (armed police, vigilance and anti-corruption) S Davidson Devasirvatham was substituted by IPS officer Sandeep Mittal, a 1995 batch officer. The directive was issued by EC secretary Lata Tripathi, who instructed immediate implementation along with a compliance report by the same evening.
The commission also specified that the outgoing officials must not be assigned any election-related responsibilities until the completion of the polling process. The move comes in the wake of complaints from opposition parties alleging bias in the functioning of the state administration in favour of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government.
Describing the action as part of election preparedness, the EC underscored the need for neutrality in the administrative setup during the electoral process.
However, Stalin strongly criticised the decision, accusing the commission of acting with political motives. Campaigning in Tiruvannamalai and Kallakurichi, he questioned the sudden shift, pointing out that EC officials had recently praised the state’s law and order situation.
The chief minister further alleged that similar transfers, including those in Salem district, were intended to favour leaders such as Edappadi K. Palaniswami and the NDA alliance. He termed the move an attempt to derail his party’s electoral prospects but asserted that such efforts would not impact the outcome.
The reshuffle has intensified the political atmosphere in the state, with the ruling party and opposition trading allegations just days before voters head to the polls.
