BJP Government Denies Sujata R Kartikeyan's Request for Extension of Childcare Leave in Odisha

BJP Government Denies Sujata R Kartikeyan’s Request for Extension of Childcare Leave in Odisha

The BJP government in Odisha has denied a request from Sujata R Kartikeyan, an IAS officer and the wife of former BJD leader VK Pandian, to extend her childcare leave. Kartikeyan, a 2000-batch IAS officer, had been on leave since May 31 and sought an additional six months of leave, which was rejected by the state government.

Decision on Leave Extension

Manoj Kumar Mohanty, the Additional Secretary, informed Kartikeyan that her application for an extension of childcare leave for another six months, starting from November 27, had been carefully considered but not approved. She was directed to report to her office on Wednesday.

Controversy and Transfer Orders

Kartikeyan’s leave request comes after the Election Commission of India ordered her transfer from her role as Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Mission Shakti Department to a non-public dealing department. The move followed a complaint by the BJP, which accused her of using women’s self-help groups to sway voters in favor of the BJD during the Lok Sabha elections.

VK Pandian’s Political Shift

VK Pandian, once a powerful officer in the Odisha government, served as the private secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik since 2011. Pandian retired voluntarily in October 2023 and joined the BJD on November 27.

This move and the controversy surrounding the rejection of Kartikeyan’s leave extension continue to highlight the political tensions in Odisha, with the BJP and BJD locked in a battle for power.

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