Thiruvananthapuram: The transfer of B Ashok from the Agriculture Department, following the suspension of Special Secretary N Prasanth, has further deepened the growing factional feud among IAS officers in Kerala.

The divide within the bureaucracy appears stark, with a senior bureaucrat aligning closely with the government while others are openly criticising the state’s decisions. A section of officials suggest that Ashok's transfer was partly triggered by his objections to technical and legal issues in government decisions during the meetings of department secretaries.

Ashok had raised objections to several contentious government decisions, including the rehabilitation of landslide victims in Wayanad. Discontent is also growing among IAS officers regarding the decision to award the construction of a township for rehabilitation to the Uralungal Society without inviting tenders.

Ashok is now reportedly pursuing legal action against his transfer to the Administrative Reforms Commission. He is unlikely to assume the new role, citing health reasons. The Commission itself remains in a nebulous state, with neither its constitution nor its terms of reference finalised.

Adding fuel to the controversy, the transfer bypassed the standard protocol of seeking the official’s consent and obtaining departmental sanction. These procedural lapses could provide strong legal grounds for Ashok to challenge the decision.