A conflict within Kerala’s IAS cadre has surfaced publicly as N Prasanth, Special Secretary in the Agriculture Department, launched a personal attack on Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) A Jayathilak through social media. The situation has drawn attention due to Prasanth’s strong remarks, which included indirect references to a character in a Malayalam film, targeting Jayathilak.
The incident follows a previous controversy involving IAS officer K Gopalakrishnan, who was accused of forming religion-based WhatsApp groups among officers. Reports suggest that the state government, led by Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan, may take disciplinary action against both officers after adverse reports were submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Prasanth’s criticism of Gopalakrishnan on social media, where he suggested that some officers’ “brains seemed to be hacked,” is believed to have been sparked by Gopalakrishnan’s adverse report against Prasanth. Allegations against Prasanth include accusations that he misused work hours and kept files in his possession while serving as CEO of Unnathi-Kerala Empowerment Society, an organization aimed at uplifting SC and ST communities.
Prasanth’s recent posts also targeted former CPM Minister J Mercykutty Amma, who previously accused him of conspiring against the government in 2021 over a deep-sea trawler deal.
