The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) accusing the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government of implementing mass transfers of government employees in “an unfair manner” on coming to power in the State.
While the State government swept aside the Opposition charge as baseless, the latter termed the government stand as “unfortunate” and demanded urgent review and cancellation of the transfer orders. Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, announcing the walkout, said that the government had transferred around 2,000 employees in an unfair manner and in violation of the transfer rules.
“If you look at the employees who have been transferred, you will find individuals with serious illnesses, employees who have just days left to retire from service, women, Class IV employees and employees from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. These are categories of employees who, under normal circumstances, would be eligible for special consideration. They have been transferred left and right to distant places in a very inhuman manner,” Mr. Vijayan said.
The Opposition alleged that the transfers had been instigated by UDF-backed service organisations and that the government had bowed to their wishes. “There have been instances where the demands for the transfers were made in the organisational letterhead and department heads were threatened to carry out the transfers. Action should be initiated against such individuals,” Mr. Vijayan said. The government should view the protest taken out by the employees on Tuesday as a warning, he said.
At the start of the day’s session, V. Joy of the CPI(M) moved the motion seeking adjournment of the day’s business and a discussion on the transfers, saying that they were affecting the morale of government employees.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph rejected the Opposition allegations as baseless. “All transfers have been made in line with existing transfer rules and to ensure smooth governance in the State. The exercise has not caused hardships to employees,” Mr. Joseph said.
In some cases, the government has shifted employees who have been in the same post for years, he added.
Published - June 03, 2026 11:02 am IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
