Chief Secy's elevation as CM's advisor draws flak from Oppn

Appointment of senior IAS officer and Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson, who retires this month, as advisor to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, has triggered a controversy with the main Opposition CPI(M) slamming the government on the issue.
The decision to appoint Thomson as advisor was taken at a recent cabinet meeting, official sources said here today.
Lambasting the government on the decision, CPI(M) veteran and state Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said, appointing an officer with a cabinet position just days ahead of his retirement was a "challenge" to the people.
In a statement, he demanded that the government cancel the appointment of Thomson and also the promotion given to some IPS officers.

Achuthanandan also said government has "no right" to take any policy decision now, ahead of the Assembly polls in Kerala.