Kozhikode Collector Prashant Nair has been posted out after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, with current state Tourism Director UV Jose replacing him. Following his removal, social media erupted in a collective wail of protests citing political machinations behind the transfer.

Prashant, popularly known as ‘Collector Bro’, chose to downplay the whole issue by calling it a routine transfer, and appealed to his ‘bros’ not to read hidden meanings into the whole affair.

Commenting on his transfer, Prashant posted on Facebook that it was an expected one, as he had completed the normal two-year tenure as the District Collector of Kozhikode.

He wrote: “….I have nothing to say to those who have come forward to take credit for the transfer…to those who see a hidden agenda in the government’s decision…I say that is just not right, bros! Life has to move on!”

Last year, Prashant had a public spat with Congress Member of Parliament MK Raghavan, over allocation of MPLAD funds. He also had a verbal duel with state DCC president KC Abu.

Most recently, Prashant was allegedly targeted over his spat with Raghavan, after he refused to participate in a strike called by the Kerala Chief Secretary.

Read: Exclusive: Collector Bro targeted for not obeying Chief Secretary? Faces action in Raghavan spat