Transfer of Home Secretaries: Uttar Pradesh Pushed for Retention, Election Commission Stood Firm
Sanjay Prasad, a 1995 batch IAS officer, is reportedly one of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s most reliable aides. He assumed the role of Principal Secretary (Home) in September 2022.
Among the six states where the poll watchdog removed home secretaries on Monday, Uttar Pradesh is the sole state recognized to have contested against the removal of its officer, Sanjay Prasad, as per The Indian Express. Nonetheless, the Election Commission (EC) remained steadfast in its decision.
Prasad, a 1995 batch IAS officer, is reputed to be one of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s most relied-upon officials. He assumed the position of Principal Secretary (Home) in September 2022.
Within hours of the Commission’s directive to remove the home secretaries, sources revealed that Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra corresponded with the EC to contest the decision. Mishra asserted that Prasad had relinquished the additional responsibility of the Chief Minister’s Office several days prior to the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls and the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, thereby mitigating any potential conflict of interest.
However, in response to Mishra, the Commission reiterated its directive and requested him to adhere by presenting a panel of three candidates for the EC to appoint Prasad’s replacement during the electoral period. “Although the Commission took into account the state government’s position, the decision was reaffirmed,” a source stated.
As per sources, while all states adhered to the Commission’s directive promptly, Uttar Pradesh initially raised objections but eventually acquiesced.
The Commission’s move to remove six home secretaries is aimed at creating a distinct divide between the state bureaucracy and the ruling party. This is accomplished by ensuring that none of the home secretaries are engaged in the activities of the Chief Minister’s Office. “This step is taken to guarantee fairness,” explained a source.
Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand were the sole states where the Home Secretaries were also engaged in the operations of their respective Chief Minister’s Offices.
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