Who’s afraid of the babus?

In 2003, for the first time in the Rajasthan Assembly elections, state government employees played a crucial role in dethroning a government.

In 2003, for the first time in the Rajasthan Assembly elections, state government employees played a crucial role in dethroning a government. Then, close to five lakh non-gazetted state government employees were up in arms against the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress party. They claimed that the government had not only denied them bonuses for five years, but also cut state government employee perks. They actively campaigned against the Congress. Anti-Congress sentiment reached its peak when close to 60 per cent of government employees went on a 64-day strike.

Five years on, state government employees have become the most pampered section of society, with the Vasundhara Raje Government offering them a multitude of sops, which include the rapid implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission report, payment of all bonuses including wage arrears, immediate payment of allowances and a five-day week.

Realising the importance of this section, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot recently said, “What happened to state government employees was unfortunate and they should forget about the past.” Senior party leaders say that they are regularly in touch with union leaders and organisations.

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Akhil Rajasthan State Employees Sangh president Mahendra Singh recalls that state government employees have never been dealt as raw a deal as during Gehlot’s regime. “We decided on this slogan. Jo karamchari ka dhyan rakhenge, woh hi sarkar banayenge. (Those who take care of government employees, will form the government.)”.

Following the BJP’s thumping victory over the Congress, the Congress alleged that state government employees had influenced voters, particularly in backward districts. To counter a similar practice in 2008, the Congress lodged a complaint with the Election Commission recently. Congress spokesperson Satinder Raghav says, “We requested the EC that state government employees should be neutral while officiating in polling stations. The EC ruled that no government employee could stand near the EVM and if found, would be immediately removed from duty.”

The Congress gripe to the ECI has only served to deepen the state government employees’ alienation from the party. Employees’ union secretary Ashok Sharma says, “We had decided to remain neutral this time. But the Congress statement to the EC shows they do not trust us at all.”

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