IN THE HOURS main as much as the announcement of dates for elections to bypolls throughout states, together with seven seats in Rajasthan, the state was witness to a authorities order being rescinded inside hours. And on the centre of it was Kirodi Lal Meena, the minister who’s neither in nor out of the BJP authorities, 4 months after he declared he had put in his papers.
Round 10.30 am Tuesday, the Training Division of the state issued three orders transferring 40 principals and eight lecturers from their present posts. Notably, 35 of the 40 principals have been to be shifted out of colleges in Dausa, the native place of Kirodi Lal; about 25 of them are Meenas just like the minister; and Dausa is among the many seven seats up for bypolls in Rajasthan.
Vacant since sitting Congress MLA Murari Lal Meena was elected MP in June, Dausa votes on November 13.
Shortly after the switch lists have been issued, Kirodi Lal wrote a letter to Training Minister Madan Dilawar searching for their cancellation, citing apparently “public curiosity”. At 1.30 pm, Director of Secondary Training Ashish Modi issued an order doing the identical.
“A complete of 56 transfers have been there in three lists. All of the three lists have been cancelled,” Modi advised PTI. Requested why, he mentioned, “The lists have been withdrawn as per the federal government’s instructions.”
With the orders and the cancellation coming simply earlier than the code of conduct got here into pressure following the declaration of the ballot dates, the Opposition termed the U-turn “a political circus”.
BJP sources admitted there was concern over how the transfers would play out within the Dausa bypoll, a seat the BJP misplaced in final yr’s Meeting elections. “These are essential elections for the BJP and these authorities lecturers have affect of their space and may sabotage the possibilities of the social gathering,” a BJP chief mentioned, admitting that “political interference” led to cancellation of the transfers.
Other than Salumbar, which the BJP is anticipated to win simply on a sympathy vote as a result of dying of their MLA Amritpal Meena, different bypoll seats could also be troublesome for the social gathering.
As per some sources, Kirodi Lal has greater stakes concerned in preserving his maintain over Dausa, as he hopes to swing a BJP ticket for his brother Jagmohan Meena for the bypoll. A loss for Jagmohan wouldn’t be good for the sulking BJP chief.
By the way, after cancelling all of the three switch lists at first, the federal government went forward and reissued orders for switch of presidency lecturers from Dungarpur and Salumbar districts, the place additionally bypolls are scheduled.
Congress chief Tikaram Jully mentioned, “The U-turn authorities created a brand new circus at this time. A number of hours earlier than the announcement of the date for by-elections in seven Meeting constituencies, the BJP authorities launched an extended switch listing of lecturers from Dausa district. These transfers have been carried out for political beneficial properties, and the Election Fee would have cancelled them… seeing them as a stress tactic in opposition to authorities workers. To keep away from this embarrassment, the federal government withdrew the switch lists.”
Kirodi Lal, who on paper continues to carry a number of portfolios, had introduced his resignation consistent with his pledge earlier than the Lok Sabha elections to do that if the BJP misplaced Dausa, which it did.
Even because the BJP has not accepted Kirodi Lal’s resignation, he stays locked in a skirmish with the federal government over varied corruption points.
