REPORT

Challenge Before Gujarat's Bureaucracy

Vineet Narayan

Assembly elections are due in Gujarat. Swords have been drawn from both sides. In this situation, Gujarat’s bureacuracy is caught in a delicate position. If they do not act impartially under pressure they will pay a heavy price. Inexplicably, the BJP’s morale is very high and is confident of a majority. In the last Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, BJP was sure of its victory. But the results unfolded a different story. So much so, in Madhya Pradesh even before the election results were out there was a fight over the post of Chief Ministership between the Patwa group and others.

In Uttar pradesh, local newspapers comprehensively canvassed for the BJP. Reading these newspapers one got the impression that BJP was going to form Government under Shri Raj Nath Singh’s leadership and he even boasted of an absolute majority. Election surveys, sponsored by BJP, tried to mislead the voters predicting clear majority for BJP. What actually happened is now well-known.

People of Gujarat also know like those in UP and MP that VHP and RSS strive hard to bring BJP to power. Once BJP comes to power, they wash off their hands saying they have no control over BJP leaders. They have done this again and again. Voters have been frequently deceived by them. Now it is clear to the people that BJP does not know how to run the Government.

The atmosphere that is created in Gujarat is part of the same strategy. People of Gujarat are, however, very intelligent. They know the truth. They may say any thing on face but their decision at the time of voting will surely give shock to BJP. In a situation like this, the bureaucracy of Gujarat has a great challenge before it. If it forgets its duty and works under the influence of a party, it has to face a great difficulty. Such things are never concealed. Generally, bureaucracy and police try to remain neutral during the elections because they know the party, which is in Opposition today, can come to power tomorrow. In spite of all that, there are some ambitious bureaucrats and policemen, who out of greed, want extra benefits and for that they cross their limit and do not hesitate to serve the interests of political leaders. For such people, Gujarat like situation can be very risky. They think something and result is something else.

Congress Welcomes EC Stand on Gujarat NEW DELHI : The Congress Party welcomed the stand of the Election Commission that Gujarat is not ready for Assembly election. The AICC spokesman, Shri Abhishek Singhvi, said here on August 16, 2002 that : "All parties must respect the views of a Constitutional organ even if it did not suit "their narrow political objectives". "When India wants to show the world that it shall hold free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir with the same election Commission, it is self-defeating to cast aspersions on the same body."