Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has come out in strong support of the decision to appoint former Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U. Khelkar as his secretary. Satheesan, addressing the media after a special Cabinet meeting, expressed bewilderment at the unnecessary controversy surrounding Khelkar’s appointment. He emphasized Khelkar’s distinguished service record as an All India Service officer in Kerala.
Satheesan clarified that the role of the Chief Electoral Officer concludes after elections, allowing officials to be reassigned with appropriate clearance. He explained the process of CEO appointments and highlighted that Khelkar’s appointment was made following the notification for his potential reassignment. Drawing comparisons with other states, Satheesan noted the absence of complaints in Kerala similar to those seen in West Bengal.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the previous CPI(M)-led government had initially appointed Khelkar as CEO, questioning the sudden criticism. Satheesan defended Khelkar’s competence and professional history, labeling the backlash against the appointment as nearly comical. He also addressed the ongoing reshuffling of officials, attributing it to the current workload distribution among ministers.
Regarding his recent visit to the Guruvayoor temple, Satheesan refuted claims of receiving special treatment. He disclosed that he adhered to regular procedures, including purchasing a standard darshan ticket and queuing up alongside other devotees. Satheesan asserted that he did not seek any preferential treatment and respected the temple’s protocols during his visit.
