In a move signaling political maneuvering, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Andhra Pradesh, under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has appointed L Subbarayudu, an IPS officer of 2013 batch from Telangana cadre, to the Andhra Pradesh cadre.
This decision comes amidst growing controversies over the state government’s choice of officers and their methods of appointment.
Mr Subbarayudu, who previously served in Telangana, has been deputed to Andhra Pradesh for an initial period of three years, citing personal reasons. This appointment follows a series of similar moves where officers aligned with the ruling NDA have been transferred or appointed to key positions within the state bureaucracy.
The Andhra Pradesh government has swiftly moved to secure the services of officers deemed favorable to its policies and administration, sparking concerns over impartiality and meritocracy in bureaucratic appointments.
The latest development has also triggered a request from the Telangana government for Subbarayudu’s immediate relieving, directing him to report to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. This inter-state bureaucratic reshuffle adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing political dynamics between the two neighboring states.