Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 14 (IANS): After months of conflict between Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) chairman B. Ashok, and CPI-M backed KSEB Officers' Association led by its president M.G. Suresh Kumar, the former on Thursday was given the marching orders.

Ashok will now head the state agricultural department.

Even though the writing on the wall was clear that Ashok's run would come to an abrupt halt, none had a clue and many thought he would be allowed to complete at least one year in office. But the might of the union prevailed a day before he could complete his year in the department.

Ashok preferred to be tight-lipped, and all those who know him for his no-nonsense attitude, the silence will be broken soon.

The standoff between Ashok and the powerful CPI-M backed officers association began in February this year after he put his foot down, and none of the arm twisting tactics which was hitherto very effectively used by the CPI-M backed KSEB Association made any impact on him. He first suspended a female engineer, then suspended Kumar and his deputy and after being reinstated, all the three were transferred to some distant places.

When this standoff became big news and Ashok getting applause for the strong way he handled the protests, the government decided to back Ashok, but assured the association that their woes would be addressed.

At a conciliation meeting held under the aegis of top political leaders in May, things were ironed out and the government promised that things will be taken up and sought time.

Incidentally , the present decision to move out Ashok can be seen as the assurance that was given by those who matter in government and it has been once again proved that in Kerala, it would be the might of the work force which will have the last laugh.