Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary Binoy Viswam accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) of following the path of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led State governments which appoint as advisers officers who have implemented Central policies that deny voting rights based on caste and religion.
Referring to the appointment of Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U. Kelkar as Secretary to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, he said that appointing an officer who stood by the controversial policies of the Election Commission to such a position would raise questions among the people.
Mr.Viswam said that Mr.Satheesan’s Mangaluru trip ahead of the declaration of the Assembly election results, during which he met leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), had already raised questions. The appointment of an officer like Mr. Kelkar would raise doubts among the people about the future stance of the government, said Mr. Viswam.
Published – May 24, 2026 06:26 pm IST


