Nearly 22 lakh employees and pensioners who had played a key role in throwing Congress out of power today stand divided on caste lines. They stood united in 2003 and their votes proved crucial in dethroning the Digvijaya Singh led-Congress government, however, today issue of reservation in government jobs have divided them.
Opposed to reservation in promotion, a section of employees are deeply upset. Anti-reservations group has formed political outfit and the employees are showing allegiance to them keeping their interest first. The employees of government offices, corporations, boards, universities, are annoyed with the ruling BJP government alleging that it has failed them.
They played vital role in change of power, but BJP after coming to power turned their back on it, they decry. Besides, the pensioners in the state, numbering round 4.5 lakh are not pleased with BJP government at is it sitting on their arrears of over 59 months. Besides they are also peeved with the government for not disbursing Dearness Allowance at rate of 2 per cent. Annoyance of staffers and pensioners may cost BJP dear in the ensuing polls.
Annoyance of staffers, pensioners may cost BJP dear this time
Ashok Sharma |
Rajyaptrit Kamarchari-Adhikari Sangh Ashok Sharma said, “This time, employees are not happy with the state government. They are divided on caste lines. They have become leaders of their own castes and communities and are calling the shots in assembly polls. There was a time when all employees and officials were united and there was harmony.”
Laxmi Narain Sharma |
MP Swastha Karmachari Sangh Laxmi Narain Sharma said, “Employees are not happy with the present government. Caste factor is deeply rooted. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan comment has divided the employees in the state. Now it is very difficult to create harmony in them. Reservation was already there but CM comments added fuel to the fire.”
Ganesh Dutt Joshi |
Pensioners’ association president Ganesh Dutt Joshi said, “Dastri-Patra of BJP does not show any interest to resolve pensioners’ problems. There are 4.5 lakh pensioners in state. Government already withheld arrears of 59 months. Secondly, Dearness Allowance at rate of 2 per cent has not been given. Overall, pensioners are not happy. It will definitely affect the elections in assembly.”
Virendra Khongal |
MP Employees Congress state president Virendra Khongal said, “There are 22 lakh employees including nigam, mandal, university, colleges, departments. Similarly, there are 4.70 lakh pensioners in the state. Digvijay Singh was dethroned due to employees’ ire. This time, they are not happy with government as it failed to resolve their issues and this will go against government in assembly polls.”
