LRD row stuck as bone in government
LRD row stuck as bone in government's throat
Ahmedabad Mirror / Updated: Feb 15, 2020, 12:36 IST
LRD recruitment row
After being cornered by women LRD candidates, first from the reserved category and then general, the state government now finds itself being questioned by political leaders, including by a few from its own party
The Lok Rakshak Dal (LRD) recruitment row is fast snowballing into a much larger issue for the government which finds itself cornered not just by the protesting women candidates, but also by political leaders, both from its own party and the opposition. Leaders from BJP and Congress as well as Patel leaders have joined the protests, demanding quick resolution to the problem.
The issue pertains to the 2018 resolution issue by the state government that bars candidates from reserved category from competing in general category.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, in a bid to end a two-month protest by women from the reserved category candidates, assured them of changes to the resolution. They had been protesting for over two m onths. Some among them have been fasting for several days now.
However, the CM's assurance to the reserved category did not go well with the ones from the general category who raised an objection. They claimed such a decision would hamper their prospects and approached the Gujarat High Court seeking directions to the state government to refrain from making any changes in the said resolution.
Candidates from the general category began protesting on Wednesday. This prompted deputy chief minister Nitin Patel to rush to meet their leaders on Thursday, along with other leaders. He assured them that no injustice would be done to anyone. But his assurance failed to pacify them and they continued their protest on Friday. Both the groups have been camping in state capital Gandhinagar at two different venues.
In support of protesters
Cabinet minister Kunwarji Bavaliya and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor have spoken in support of candidates.
Ashaben Patel, BJP MLA from Unjha, had earlier written a letter to CM Rupani in support of open category candidates. Thakor has announced a march from Sabarmati Ashram to Gandhinagar if the government did not immediately clear its stand.
Meanwhile, Congress MLAs have been sitting on fast with the protesting women from reserved category in Gandhiangar for past three days. After meetin Nitin Patel, Patidar leader Dinesh Bambhaniya and others have been trying to meet the CM to put forward their points.
Until it (govt) resolves the issue, everyone should remain calm. Government is trying to give justice to everyone
Bharat Pandya, BJP spokesperson
"We focus on peace, unity and safety of citizens and we appeal to citizens to maintain peace. Whatever decision the CM takes will be based on intensive study and keeping everyone's sentiments in mind," said Patel, accusing Congress of being interested in creating caste-based disputes and unrest in the state.
BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said, "Congress is spreading poison in the society and dividing people on the basis of caste and community. BJP tries to unite people and works towards bringing peace in the society. We introduced EBC, reservation for women in Gujarat first and then in the country. The government is committed to thinking in public interest.
until it resolves the issue, everyone should remain calm. Government is trying to give justice to everyone."
Is increasing the seats in LRD an option?
Sources close to the development claimed the government was likely to increase the number of seats for women in the LRD to solve the issue. Meanwhile, government officials said they are working out a way to ensure that no one is dissatisfied.