The Centre’s approval of key appointments for two IPS officers who were embroiled in controversies during Odisha elections, has sparked a political row.

DS Kutte, suspended for interfering in election matters, has been appointed as Inspector General (IG) Border Security Force (BSF), while Ashish Kumar Singh, who faced allegations of misconduct, is now the IG of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Both officers were considered close to former IAS officer-turned-politician VK Pandian.

The BJP had accused both the officers of working as the agents of BJD. However, after their recent appointments, a political slugfest has begun.

Kutte, a 1997-batch IPS officer was suspended on May 29 for meddling in the election process and had allegedly contacted the additional chief electoral officer to withdraw approval to an advertisement by a political party.

He was also accused of indirectly supporting the alleged vandalism of EVMs by BJP candidate Prashant Jagadev.

Singh, a 2004-batch IPS officer, was accused for ordering the arrest of BJP candidate Prasant Jagdev during the Assembly polls.

As per the Election Commission’s (EC) direction, Singh was transferred from election-related duties and later servedas IG (chief minister’s security).

After the election was over, Kutte’s suspension was withdrawn. After the new government was formed, these two officers were appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the home department.

“The BJP should come out with proof that our party had links with these officers,” BJD MLA Pramila Mallik said.