What are the powers of a chief minister of a state after the conduct of assembly elections but till the announcement of election results?

This has now become a topic of big debate in the political circles, in the wake of Election Commission’s notice to the Andhra Pradesh government calling for an explanation on the conduct of review meetings with government officials on various developmental works.

Telugu Desam Party president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu held two meetings with officials on Thursday: one on the progress of works on Polavaram irrigation project and other on the works going on the capital region of Amaravati.

He was also planning to hold a review meeting with top police officials on the law and order situation in the state, but cancelled the same following the EC notice.

This has generated a lot of debate in the political circles. TDP, which has been adopting a confrontationist attitude towards Election Commission, questioned the propriety of the Commission in preventing the chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the conduct of review meetings.

TDP MLC and party’s official spokesman Y Babu Rajendra Prasad said what was wrong in Naidu holding review meetings.

“He is not a caretaker CM, but a full-fledged CM. He took oath as the chief minister on June 8, 2014 and till June 7, he can be the chief minister. He is responsible for all the developmental works in the state till then. If not the chief minister, who else will review the progress of works in Polavaram project to ensure water supply to farmers by coming season?” he asked.

Another TDP leader and minister Nakka Ananda Bab also pointed out that Naidu would be the chief minister till the new government forms. So, as the chief minister, he has the powers to hold official meetings.

“Moreover, the polling for assembly elections was over on April 11 itself and so, there is no way, the TDP can gain political advantage from the official meetings,” he said.

YSR Congress party MLA Buggana Rajendra Prasad, however, said the code will be in force till the declaration of results.

As such, the chief minister had no powers to conduct any reviews when model code of conduct was in force.

“He is just a caretaker CM. He can do review meetings only under emergency situations,” he clarified.

Another YSRC leader Botsa Satyanarayana said Naidu would, no doubt, continue as the chief minister till the new government is formed, but he had no authority to hold official review meetings during the poll code.

“He has no faith in the systems and democracy,” Botsa alleged.