Opposition Targets VD Satheesan Over Ex-EC Official Appointment in Kerala

Opposition parties in Kerala have criticized the Congress-led state government for appointing Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar as secretary to Chief Minister VD Satheesan, just days after the Assembly elections. The BJP and CPI(M) accused the Congress of hypocrisy, pointing to Rahul Gandhi’s past condemnation of a similar move in West Bengal, where the BJP government appointed a former Chief Electoral Officer as chief secretary. The Congress rejected the allegations, stating the transfer of Kelkar—a 2003-batch IAS officer—was a standard administrative decision. A government order confirmed his reassignment from the Election Department to the Chief Minister’s Office with immediate effect. However, the CPI(M) argued that such a posting so soon after elections violated norms and raised doubts about electoral fairness. Critics highlighted concerns over Kelkar’s role in overseeing the recent polls, including alleged irregularities such as the use of a BJP seal in official communications, large-scale voter deletions under the Special Intensive Revision of rolls, and delays in releasing polling percentages. The CPI(M) also questioned the absence of a cooling period before Kelkar’s transfer, suggesting potential political interference in the electoral process. Senior CPI(M) leader P Rajeev demanded clarification from the Congress central leadership, citing Gandhi’s earlier stance on West Bengal’s appointment as evidence of double standards. The party accused both the BJP-led Union government and the Kerala Congress administration of undermining the Election Commission’s independence, further eroding public trust in the electoral system. The opposition’s claims include controversies such as the mismanagement of strong rooms during voting and counting, as well as delays in addressing complaints about the electoral process. While the Congress maintains the move was procedural, the timing and circumstances have intensified political tensions in Kerala.