Noted writer and Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah has called the discrimination allegedly shown by Election Commission of India (ECI) among the States in implementing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as a manifestation of the bureaucracy coming under the ideological influence of political parties.
It was evident from the manner in which the ECI contradicted itself in giving an ‘automatic exemption’ from MCC to Odisha before it was hit by the cyclone Fani and forcing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who had parted ways with the BJP, to seek written permission to take steps for mitigating the cyclone impact in four north coastal districts.
Another instance of the civil servants crossing the line was Chief Secretary (CS) L.V. Subrahmanyam’s refusal to recognise the authority of the Chief Minister, which amounted to making a mockery of the Constitution. “It is as good as the Constitution collapsing,” he observed.
Participating as chief guest in a roundtable organised by the Forum for Protection of Constitutional Rights (FPCR) on the ‘Model Code of Conduct-Conflict over the duties and responsibilities of CM, CS and Chief Electoral Officer’ here on Thursday, Mr. Ilaiah said the Modi government destroyed democratic institutions and the Prime Minister appeared to be under the belief that by appointing civil servants of his choice in certain positions he could crush his rivals forever.
Fortunately, the Constitution has adequate safeguards against such fascist tendencies but it required the resolute support of the IAS and IPS officers who constitute the ‘steel frame of governance’.
As far as the conduct of the CS was concerned, Mr. Ilaiah said he might have personal prejudices but he could not defy the powers of the Chief Minister. If he does that, it would be insubordination. The CS should attend the Cabinet meeting even if he was not invited, as it was his responsibility and differ with the Chief Minister if any decisions that violate the MCC were taken there, he added.
