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The political landscape of Uttar Pradesh is currently embroiled in a controversy surrounding the recruitment of staff for the state's Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. A recent expose by The Indian Express revealed that a significant portion of the vacancies were filled by individuals with familial ties to prominent politicians and officials, leading to accusations of 'parivarvaad' (dynastic politics) against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The expose has sparked widespread outrage, with opposition parties vehemently criticizing the alleged nepotism and demanding a thorough investigation.
The expose, published in November 2023, highlighted the selection of 38 candidates out of 186 vacancies for the posts of Review Officers (ROs) and Assistant Review Officers (AROs) who were related to influential figures within the state government. These included the then UP Speaker's Public Relations Officer (PRO) and his brother, a former minister's nephew, the son of the Legislative Council secretariat in-charge, and several relatives of the Legislative Assembly secretariat in-charge. The selection process, which involved two rounds of examinations in 2020-2021, was met with accusations of unfairness and manipulation, with critics alleging that the recruitment process was skewed in favor of individuals with connections to power.
The allegations have triggered a political storm, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to attack the BJP for its alleged hypocrisy. The Samajwadi Party (SP), the primary opposition party, has accused the BJP of engaging in 'parivarvaad' while consistently criticizing the opposition for the same practice during elections and job selections. The Uttar Pradesh Congress has echoed similar sentiments, demanding a fair probe into the matter and the prosecution of those found guilty. Other parties, including the Rashtriya Kisan Manch, have expressed concern over the perceived unfairness and the potential damage to the integrity of the state's public service.
The Allahabad High Court, in September 2023, took cognizance of the allegations and ordered a preliminary enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to determine the extent of irregularities in the recruitment process. However, the Supreme Court intervened in October 2023, staying the High Court's order for a CBI probe pending further legal proceedings. The case is now scheduled for a hearing in January 2024. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and could further fuel political tensions in the state.
This incident underscores the deep-rooted problem of nepotism and favoritism that plagues Indian politics and public service. While the BJP has frequently accused other parties of 'parivarvaad,' the current allegations against its own government raise questions about its commitment to fair and transparent governance. As the investigation progresses, the public will be closely watching to see whether the BJP government will take concrete steps to address the concerns raised and ensure accountability in the recruitment process.
Source: Parivarvaad Opposition on 'one-fifth of vacancies in UP Assembly Council filled with kin of VIPs'