Kerala's high-profile bureaucrat quits job

Thiruvananthapuam: High profile Kerala bureaucrat Alphons Kannanthanam yesterday resigned from his government job, setting off speculation that he may enter politics.

Kannanthanam, credited with some daring decisions during his career as part of the elite Indian Administrative Service, handed over his resignation to chief secretary Riazuddin, less than two months ahead of the state assembly election. He was serving as the land revenue commissioner.

Kannanthanam is rumoured to be tipped to contest the election from Kanjirapally in Kottayam district, as a Left-backed independent candidate.

The bureaucrat, who briefly spoke to journalists after submitting his resignation, would not comment on his future plans, but gave hints that he was set for a political career.

"I have put in 27 years of service as a bureaucrat, and life, after all, is a short thing. I have been wanting to do other things", he said.

Asked whether he was taking the step to serve the people, Kannanthanam quipped, "Well, I have been serving the people as a bureaucrat."

He added that since he had only just handed over his resignation he did not want to say anything more.

Kannanthanam had attracted national attention when as the commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority, he demolished several illegal structures in Delhi.