The Election Commission swiftly responded to the BJP's petition regarding the alleged misuse of public office by Sujata R Karthikeyan, a senior Odisha bureaucrat and spouse of BJD leader V K Pandian. Hours after the complaint was lodged, Kartikeyan was promptly transferred to a non-public dealing department by the Election Commission, as per insider sources.
V K Pandian, known for his close association with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, adds a layer of political sensitivity to the situation. Kartikeyan held the position of commissioner-cum-secretary in the Department of Mission Shakti, Odisha, before her immediate transfer.
The decision to transfer Kartikeyan came in response to allegations of her involvement in the misuse of public office, particularly regarding her purported engagement as an agent for the ruling BJD in the state. The BJP's petition underscored concerns about Kartikeyan's active role in the electoral process, allegedly influenced by her husband's political connections.
The BJP's plea emphasized the need to uphold the impartiality and integrity of the Election Commission. They advocated for Kartikeyan's removal from her current post and requested that she be assigned duties devoid of public interaction until the conclusion of the parliamentary and assembly elections in Odisha.
