Congress Party Lodges Formal Complaint Over Officials' Presence at BJP Event
The Gujarat state unit of the Congress party has escalated a political controversy by formally writing to the state governor on Tuesday. In the letter, they have demanded immediate disciplinary action against three high-ranking officials for allegedly violating government service rules. The officials in question are accused of attending an event organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its state headquarters in Ahmedabad on February 1.
Details of the Alleged Violations
The event was a screening of the Union Budget, hosted by the BJP. According to state Congress media convener Manish Doshi, who addressed reporters, the officials present included:
- Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Superintendent of Civil Hospital
- Dr. Piyush Mittal, Head of the Paraplegia Department
- Rajul Gajjar, Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Technological University (GTU)
Doshi emphasized that their participation directly contravened Gujarat service rules, which explicitly prohibit government employees from engaging in or associating with any political party activities. He stated, "These officials violated Gujarat service rules. Additionally, Rajul Gajjar clearly breached Clause 15(F) of Chapter 3 of the Gujarat Public University Act." This clause likely pertains to restrictions on political involvement by university officials, underscoring the seriousness of the alleged misconduct.
Broader Implications and Political Context
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between political parties in Gujarat, with the Congress leveraging service rule violations to criticize the BJP. The demand for action against the officials reflects a strategic move to hold the ruling party accountable and question the impartiality of public servants. The Congress party's letter to the governor seeks not only disciplinary measures but also aims to set a precedent for enforcing ethical standards in government service, ensuring that officials remain neutral and avoid political affiliations that could compromise their duties.
The controversy has sparked discussions about the boundaries between public service and political activities, with potential repercussions for the careers of the involved officials and the administrative integrity of Gujarat's institutions.
