Thiruvananthapuram: Senior IAS officer Nalini Netto stepped down as the chief principal secretary in the chief minister’s office on Tuesday citing personal reasons. However, sources claim that her rift with some members of the personal staff led to the move.

Nalini was appointed to the newly created post of chief principal secretary after she resigned as the chief secretary in September 2017.

A 1981 batch IAS officer, Nalini was serving as home secretary and secretary to chief minister prior to the chief secretary post.

In her long career, Nalini has held several key posts including the state tourism secretary, irrigation secretary and district collector of Thiruvananthapuram. She was also the first woman to hold the office of the chief electoral officer (CEO) and she remained in the post for 11 years.