New Delhi: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief in Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, on Friday, accused the Election Commission of usurping the powers of his government and preventing it from discharging its duties.

In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora, he said the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Andhra Pradesh had reportedly told the media that the chief minister does not have the power to conduct review meetings as the model code of conduct is in force.

Naidu further alleged that the CEO had also directed the ADG (Intelligence) not to report to the chief minister.

"There's no such provision in the model code of conduct. I am duty bound and empowered to conduct review meetings. The CEO is spreading misinformation and exceeding his jurisdiction," Naidu alleged in the letter.

Accusing the Election Commission (EC) of discriminating against him, Naidu asked if the poll panel has also directed the Intelligence Bureau director and the national security advisor not to meet and brief the Prime Minister.

"Why discriminating orders are being issued in case of Andhra Pradesh? The EC has no authority to bar an elected government from discharging its duties," he said, accusing the EC of "usurping" its power.

Naidu alleged the EC was facilitating the functioning of the BJP-led central government and states ruled by the party and its allies.

The Union government held a Cabinet meeting on April 15 despite the model code of conduct being in force and "even today, regular security briefings and meetings take place at the central level. The CM of Telangana is also conducting review meetings regularly", he claimed.

"Since the electorate has already exercised their franchise, the EC has no jurisdiction to stop any review meeting or briefing," he said.

On April 13, a TDP delegation led by Naidu met CEC Arora, complaining of large scale EVM malfunction in the state on the polling day. He urged the poll panel to revert to the ballot system.