THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has decided to sack IAS officer B Ashok from the post of vice-chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University for writing an article recently in a vernacular daily where he criticized Rahul Gandhi's refusal thrice to accept invitations to visit Sivagiri Mutt.

A note moved by the Cabinet on Wednesday, a copy of which is with TOI, said Ashok, "... not only breached provisions of All India Service (Conduct) Rules 1968 ... but also made mockery of senior political leaders and department heads".

Incidentally, Ashok was removed from the same post earlier by the UDF government, also for writing an article, an act which was later termed "illegal, arbitrary and capricious" by High Court last year. He was reinstated in August 2012.

When contacted, Ashok denied any knowledge of the government move. "I have not been informed or asked to clarify anything. I just hope that the university does not suffer in the process" he said.