Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 16 -- The tug-of-war between Kerala's political leadership and its bureaucracy has once again come under the spotlight, with senior IAS officer Dr. B. Ashok emerging as the central figure of the state's contentious "transfer culture."His frequent reassignments, legal battles, and tribunal victories have turned what began as an individual career tussle into a broader debate on governance.
A 1998-batch officer known for reformist zeal and candour, Dr. Ashok has held diverse positions ranging from Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University to Principal Secretary in Agriculture.
His uncompromising style and refusal to yield to vested interests have often placed him at the centre of instit...