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The political landscape of Uttar Pradesh has been thrown into a whirlwind of accusations and legal battles following a revelation by The Indian Express, a leading English daily. The newspaper report, which sparked controversy, alleged that a significant portion of the vacancies in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly and Council were filled with relatives of prominent figures in the political and bureaucratic sphere. This has led to a storm of criticism from opposition parties who have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engaging in 'parivarvaad' (dynastic politics), a charge the BJP often directs at its opponents.
The expose sheds light on the appointment of Review Officers (ROs) and Assistant Review Officers (AROs) in the UP Legislative Assembly and Council. Out of the 186 vacancies, 38 candidates selected for these coveted positions allegedly had familial ties to high-ranking officials and politicians. The report identified individuals who were related to the then UP Speaker, former ministers, Legislative Council secretariat in-charge, and even the son and daughter of the Department of Parliamentary Affairs in-charge. Notably, an estimated 2.5 lakh aspirants had applied for these positions, underscoring the competitive nature of the selection process and the magnitude of the alleged unfair advantage granted to certain individuals.
The revelations have sparked outrage and calls for accountability. The opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress, have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. The SP leader Ashutosh Sinha, while acknowledging the ongoing legal proceedings, expressed his suspicion that the BJP is prone to engaging in 'parivarvaad' during candidate selections and ticket distribution for elections. Similarly, the UP Congress leader Ashok Singh stressed the need for a fair probe and appropriate punishments for those found guilty. Other voices, like Shekhar Dixit, President of Rashtriya Kisan Manch, have accused the incident as a widespread cheating of aspiring candidates and society as a whole.
The matter has reached the judiciary, with the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court raising concerns about the fairness of the examinations conducted for staff recruitment in the two legislative bodies. In September 2023, the court ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to investigate potential foul play in the recruitment process. However, the Supreme Court intervened in October 2023, staying the High Court's order for a CBI investigation, with the next hearing scheduled for January 2024. This ongoing legal battle highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the stakes involved.
The controversy has raised questions about transparency, meritocracy, and fairness in the recruitment process for public service positions. The accusations of 'parivarvaad' also point to the broader issue of nepotism and corruption within the political system. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust mechanisms to ensure that appointments to key positions are made based on merit and transparency, rather than personal connections or political favoritism. As the legal process unfolds, the eyes of the nation are fixed on Uttar Pradesh, eagerly awaiting the outcome of this complex and politically charged case.
Source: Parivarvaad Opposition on 'one-fifth of vacancies in UP Assembly Council filled with kin of VIPs'