NDA Clash Erupts Over Controversial Move to Fill 45 Government Posts Through Lateral Entry

Discord has arisen in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) due to the UPSC move to recruit 45 government posts through lateral entry. Some members of the coalition strongly objected, while others supported the resolution, leading to an emerging division over the matter.

The Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP (Ram Vilas)] have strongly opposed the plan for lateral entry, arguing that it encroaches upon the policy of reservation and may cause social injustice. On the other hand, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supported the change, arguing that it would enhance the quality of governance by absorbing highly qualified staff from the private sector.

NDA’s JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas) Express Concerns

The JD(U) has been quite critical of the decision, especially regarding the question of reservation. K C Tyagi, the party’s national spokesperson, stated that JD(U) has always supported the process of filling quotas as and when they are available. “We are committed to the principles of Ram Manohar Lohia, who fought for the underprivileged sections of society. The government’s decision to prioritize merit is quite alarming,” Tyagi said to the Indian Express.

Tyagi also pointed out that this could turn into a significant factor in the opposition’s election campaign. He noted that NDA’s opponents might capitalize on this move, presenting themselves as champions of the socially vulnerable population. “We should not be handing a weapon to the opposition,” he added.

LJP (Ram Vilas) president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan also expressed concern over the advertisement for lateral entry, which was released on Saturday. Nevertheless, Paswan remained firm that any government appointment must be accompanied by reservation provisions, with no room for exceptions. He raised the concern that the lack of reservation in lateral entries would worsen the chances of disadvantaged social groups. Paswan said he would raise the matter with the government and stated that his party does not support the measure in question.

TDP Support of Lateral Entry

Unlike the JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas), the TDP has supported the lateral entry move. Nara Lokesh of TDP, Andhra Pradesh minister and the national general secretary, proposed that some ministries need specialized skill sets that can only be offered by professionals from the private sector. “We have always been in support of the concept of incorporating private players into governmental affairs by opening up the sector. This is a positive step in the right direction in terms of governance and enhancing service delivery to citizens,” Lokesh said.

Opposition’s Criticism and Reaction

The ruling Congress party is not alone in opposing the UPSC’s decision; other opposition parties are also against it. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized the move, calling it an attack on Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis.. He accused the BJP of trying to subvert the constitution to deny Bahujans their due reservation.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also entered the discussion and attacked the Modi government’s lateral entry provision as anti-constitutional. Kharge, in a social media post shared on June 17, said that the BJP government has gradually cut off job opportunities in the public sector, having removed more than 5 lakh posts in the last decade. He also pointed out the rise in casual and contractual recruitment, which, according to him, disproportionately affects SC, ST, and OBC candidates.

Similarly, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav raised concerns, stating that the BJP’s actual aim appears to be polarizing top bureaucratic posts in the country. He called for a ‘fight back’ against the ‘conspiracy’ being played out by the BJP against the reservation system.

BSP’s Stand and BJP’s Defense

Mayawati, the BSP chief, opined that this move would decrease the chances of promotion for lower strata employees and contravene the constitution. She emphasized that such a decision is unfriendly to individuals who have risen through the ranks of government.

In response, the BJP pointed out that the Congress-led UPA government had previously introduced the lateral entry policy. Previously, the UPA government set up the Second Administrative Reforms Commission in 2005, which in its report recommended lateral entry to bring in efficiency by leveraging professional expertise. The BJP expressed confidence that the Modi government would ensure that job mafias cannot influence the recruitment process through the UPSC.

On Saturday, the UPSC released 45 vacancies—10 at the joint secretary rank and 35 at the director/deputy secretary rank—to be recruited on a lateral/contract basis. The government argues that this move is necessary since traditional civil servants may lack the new talent and ideas required for these roles.

The UPSC’s recent decision on lateral entry has exposed divisions within the NDA and between the government and the opposition. While some view lateral entry as a tool to enhance governance, others see it as undermining the reservation system and social justice. The government will need to navigate these differing views carefully to maintain cohesion within the coalition and address public concerns.

News Source: The Indian Express