The Aam Aadmi Party’s turbulent relationship with bureaucrats in Delhi shows no signs of improvement. In a recent development, the Delhi Government Employees Association, in a statement on Twitter, has alleged that a Delhi minister misbehaved with a female IAS officer and insulted her in front of subordinates. The statement also claims that the minister threatened to have the officer implicated in false cases.
Honest officers being targeted again for doing their job with integrity. Fake charges being levelled and dignity being attacked for expressing frank opinions. Despite assurances by the Hon’ble CM, no respect for dignity #StillWaitingForPromisesToBeFulfilled #TargettingTheHonest pic.twitter.com/fEqlbRhMHj
— Delhi Government Employees Association (@DelhiEmployees) August 4, 2018
The statement reads, “All the officers and staff of Transport Department are greatly pained over the misbehaviour of Shri Kailash Gahlot, Minister (Transport), Govt. of Delhi with Ms. Varsha Joshi, IAS, Secretary-cum-Commissioner (Transport), in the Conference Room of Transport Minister on 3.08.2018. In the said meeting, the Minister not only misbehaved with an honest and upright woman officer but also insulted her in the presence of more than 30 subordinate officers. The Minister also threatened the Secretary to implicate her in false case and directed his staff to stop the entry of Secretary to his room if she tries to enter his office.”
The IAS Association has condemned the incident through its official Twitter handle.
This kind of misbehaviour with officials is just not acceptable. Strongly condemned. https://t.co/Dm8aMcjelb
— IAS Association (@IASassociation) August 4, 2018
Interestingly, the minister in question, Gahlot, received a talking down on Twitter from Kejriwal who prefers issuing orders to his ministers on social media instead of reaching out to them personally. Kejriwal’s own conduct with regards to his subordinates may well have influenced Gahlot’s behaviour towards his subordinates.
Directed Transport Minister to expedite the proposal to allow student pass in AC buses also.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 31, 2018
Directed Kailash Gehlot ji, Minister-in-charge, to visit the area alongwith all officers and ensure proper arrangements. https://t.co/baelUjCsJT
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 30, 2018
The Aam Aadmi Party’s troubles with the bureaucracy began when the Chief Secretary of Delhi claimed that he was assaulted by AAP MLAs in front of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Since then, a key aide of Kejriwal has asserted that he witnessed the whole series of events unfold before his eyes. We have reported earlier that Delhi Police is likely to book in the matter Arvind Kejriwal for criminal conspiracy. The Aam Aadmi Party, however, has denied the allegations. One AAP MLA was also caught on camera calling for an assault on IAS officers. Arvind Kejriwal has also accused the IAS officers of not working for 4 months, a claim that was refuted by officers in a press conference. After the latest allegations of misbehaviour against a Delhi Minister, it appears that Kejriwal and his men are unapologetic about their behaviour on previous occasions and there is no remorse over their tumultuous relationship with the bureaucracy.
