BJP Moves ECI Against V K Pandian’s Wife Sujata Karthikeyan; Seeks Her Suspension To Ensure Free Polls In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday moved the Election Commission of India (ECI) and sought action against senior IAS officer Sujata R Karthikeyan, accusing her of obstructing free and fair elections and inciting violence in Odisha.

In a memorandum, BJP demanded that the IAS officer be immediately shifted out of Odisha or order her suspension to ensure free and fair election in the state.

The BJP in its petition claimed that that a triumvirate – IPS officer DS Kutey, IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh and IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan – is operating under the directions of BJD leader V K Pandian, who is the husband of Sujata, and the ‘political heir’ Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

It said the conduct of all of these three civil servants was in gross violation of not only of All India Services Conduct Rules, but also of clear directions of the ECI and violative of provisions Electoral laws.

Accusing Sujata of being engaged in electoral malpractices and playing an active role in inciting a wave of electoral violence in Odisha during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, BJP sought action against her as per service rules.

The ECI had recently found her meddling and proactively trying to influence the elections and ordered that she be shifted to a job not related to public dealing or polls in any manner, BJP said.

However, despite ECI instructions, she continued to engage in electoral malpractice and abuse of machinery, characterized by widespread violence and voter intimidation, it claimed.

Sujata Karthikeyan or senior BJD leaders were not immediately available for comment.

It may be noted here that the ECI had on May 2 directed the Odisha government to transfer Sujata from the post of commissioner- cum-secretary of the Department of Mission Shakti. She was then transferred as the Special Secretary to the Finance Department.

The ECI order had come after leaders of BJP’s Odisha unit repeatedly raised allegations against Sujata and accused her of influencing SHG women to vote for the ruling BJD by misusing her power and government machinery.