Thiruvananthapuram, May 23 -- A controversy has erupted after the UDF government in Keralam on Saturday appointed State Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar as the Secretary to Chief Minister VD Satheesan.

"Dr. Rathan U Kelkar IAS (KL 2003), Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala & Secretary, Election Department, is transferred and posted as Secretary to the Chief Minister," the government order read.

However, the move was met with criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which invoked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's remarks over freedom of the Election Commission, and alleged that Kelkar's appointment was a "reward" for the party's victory in the Keralam Assembly elections.

Rahul Gandhi had strongly criticised the BJP government in West Beng...