Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena says he grew up in village near Ranthambore Tiger Reserve where the family used to virtually cohabit with tigers and leopards.
It was from these environs, braving the wild and deprivations that he resolved to make it to the Civil service. Got enough grit, nobody can deter him in the service of the people. There is criticism for launching cases against bogus voting. The CPM, stung by cases against its cadre, has threatened to fight him legally.
Mr Meena says he will fight the case up to Supreme Court if any party wishes to challenge his decisions in the apex court. The CEO said he would defend his decisions at the highest level.
“Absolutely no loophole in the action taken against bogus voting. We we will go to any extent to defend our decision. Don’t worry. Let somebody challenge it. We will go up to Supreme Court. This is no child’s play,” he told a news channel.
Meena refuted the allegations levelled by CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan accusing him of being part of UDF propaganda machinery. “Not at all. He knows my character. I have worked mostly under the LDF government’s tenure. These leaders know my nature very well. I don’t work for any party,” he said.
On CPM state secretariat decision to consult central leadership of the party for proceeding against him legally, Mr Meena said;``They have the freedom to take any decision. We will cross the bridge when we get there. Let it come. I am not functioning under the state government. I am an official who is functioning directly under the Election Commission. That is why we have been able to function independently. But I have good relations with the current government. If I am given an opportunity to explain my position, I will do so before the responsible leaders. I don’t have any ego or any other problems in doing that.”
