IAS officer Rathan Kelkar takes charge as Kerala CM secretary, opposition attacks

Senior IAS officer Rathan U Kelkar assumed charge as secretary to Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Sunday, a day after the government transferred and posted the former Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to the key post. The Chief Minister's Office released photographs of Kelkar taking office, with media reports saying Satheesan directed him to assume charge immediately despite it being a Sunday.

The appointment triggered sharp attacks from the CPI(M), CPI and BJP. Millenniumpost reports the BJP termed the move part of the Congress's "opportunistic politics" and demanded a response from Rahul Gandhi. CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan alleged a double standard, pointing out that Rahul Gandhi had criticised similar appointments in BJP-ruled West Bengal but now AICC general secretary K C Venugopal says the matter is administrative. Venugopal declined to comment directly, stating the decision lies with the government.