The Indian National Congress has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat, levelling serious allegations of favouritism and procedural violations in the awarding of contracts for the state's Republic Day tableaux. The party has demanded a thorough investigation into what it calls a clear case of misuse of public funds to benefit a politically connected entity.
The Core Allegations and the Accused Firm
At the heart of the controversy is a company named M/s. Ace Creative Services Pvt. Ltd.. Congress leaders allege that this firm has received the contract to design and build Gujarat's tableaux for the prestigious Republic Day parade in New Delhi for an unbroken stretch of seven consecutive years, from 2018 to 2024. The party contends that such a long, unchallenged tenure for a single vendor raises immediate red flags about the transparency of the tender process.
Congress spokespersons have pointedly questioned the political connections of the firm. They allege that the proprietor of Ace Creative Services is closely associated with the BJP, suggesting that the contract awards are a form of political patronage rather than the result of a fair, competitive bidding process. The party argues that this represents a blatant conflict of interest and a potential siphoning of state resources to party affiliates.
Violations of Financial and Tender Norms
Beyond the allegations of favouritism, the Congress has cited specific financial and procedural irregularities. The party claims that the contract values have been manipulated to avoid mandatory scrutiny. They allege that the government split a larger contract into smaller pieces, awarding them separately to the same firm. This practice, known as "contract splitting," is often used to bypass financial ceilings that would otherwise require approval from higher authorities or more rigorous tender processes.
Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil stated that the total expenditure on these tableaux over the seven-year period runs into crores of rupees. By allegedly breaking down the work order, the government effectively avoided sending the proposal to the Finance Department for necessary vetting and sanction. This, according to the opposition, is a deliberate attempt to evade financial oversight and accountability.
Demands for Accountability and Probe
The Congress has not limited its actions to mere accusations. The party has formally demanded a high-level, independent inquiry into the entire episode. They are calling for the probe to examine several key aspects: the absence of a transparent tender process, the rationale behind repeatedly selecting the same vendor, the alleged splitting of contracts, and the total amount of public money spent.
Furthermore, the opposition has challenged the Gujarat government and the ruling BJP to come clean on the details of the contract. They have posed direct questions about the ownership of the firm in question and the exact nature of its links to the BJP. The Congress frames this issue as part of a larger pattern of undermining democratic institutions and using state machinery for partisan benefit.
Broader Political Implications
This controversy emerges in a highly charged political atmosphere. Gujarat, being the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a BJP stronghold, often finds itself under the opposition's microscope. Allegations of corruption and favouritism in the state's administration are potent political tools for the Congress as it seeks to regain ground.
The focus on Republic Day tableaux is also symbolic. These displays are meant to showcase a state's cultural heritage and developmental achievements on a national platform. The Congress's allegations attempt to tarnish this symbol, suggesting that even a celebration of national pride has been compromised by cronyism. The party is leveraging the issue to question the BJP's central slogan of "zero tolerance for corruption" and accountable governance.
As of now, the Gujarat government and the BJP have not issued a detailed official response to these specific allegations. The coming days will likely see increased political sparring, with the Congress pushing for an inquiry and the BJP defending its administration's decisions. The outcome of this political clash could influence public perception ahead of future electoral battles.
