India, May 24 -- The BJP and CPI(M) on Saturday criticised the Kerala Government over the appointment of State CEO Rathan U Kelkar as secretary to Chief Minister VD Satheesan, alleging a contradiction in the Congress party's stand on similar appointments made in BJP-ruled States.

Kelkar, a 2003-batch IAS officer, had supervised the recent Kerala Assembly election process as the State's CEO.

According to a Government order, "Rathan U Kelkar IAS (KL 2003), Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala and Secretary, Election Department, is transferred and posted as Secretary to the Chief Minister."

Reacting to the development, senior BJP leader K Surendran accused the Congress of double standards in matters concerning appointments involving election o...