Left Parties, BJP target Kerala government over Kelkar appointment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The appointment of former Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rathan U Kelkar as the Secretary to the Chief Minister has triggered political criticism from both the LDF and the BJP. Following the Chief Minister’s instructions, Kelkar officially assumed charge on Sunday despite it being a holiday. Reacting to the appointment, the CPM state secretariat said the move appeared to be a "reward for services rendered" after the Assembly elections.

The party alleged that the appointment raises questions about the credibility of the election process. CPM leaders claimed that during the elections, Kelkar had taken several biased and suspicious decisions in favour of the UDF, and said the new appointment validates those allegations.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam also criticised the move, saying appointing an officer who supported the controversial policies of the Election Commission would create doubts among the public. He alleged that BJP-led governments usually appoint officials who implement policies that deny voting rights based on caste and religion, and questioned whether the Kerala government was moving in a similar direction.

BJP leader and MLA V Muraleedharan questioned whether Rahul Gandhi, who had criticised the appointment of the former Chief Electoral Officer of Bengal as a Secretary, has nothing to say about the appointments in Kerala. However, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal said he did not wish to comment on the issue and added that such decisions should be taken by those in government.

Unexpected appointment
Earlier, senior officer Rajamanikyam was expected to be appointed as the Chief Minister’s secretary. However, sources said he showed little interest in the role. Kelkar’s appointment then came unexpectedly. Officials close to the government said Kelkar was known for his neutral approach and polite conduct during his tenure as Chief Electoral Officer. His interactions with representatives of various political parties were also reportedly well received. The government is believed to have appointed him with the expectation that his administrative experience would help make the Chief Minister’s Office more accessible and efficient for the public.