Government and Ruling Party Must Remain Separate Entities

Newsreel Asia Insight #22
Oct. 23, 2023

Government officials are being asked to highlight the achievements of the governing party, raising concerns about the misuse of state resources and the erosion of democratic institutions. The move appears designed to enlist civil servants in activities closely resembling political campaigning.

On Oct. 17, the Central government issued a circular to all ministries, directing the nomination of officers to act as “district rath prabharis” or special officers to showcase the last nine years of the government’s achievements in 765 districts between Nov. 20, 2023, and Jan. 25, 2024, according to The Wire.

This development occurs as elections are underway in five states, with the general election looming just seven months ahead.

Former Secretary to the Government of India E.A.S. Sarma wrote to the Election Commission of India on Oct. 21, indicating that the move could be a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, which has already come into force, as reported by the Wire. It places the incumbent government at an advantage vis-à-vis the political parties in opposition, Sarma explained.

Former Planning Commission member N.C. Saxena also reportedly criticised the move, stating that it blurs the line between civil service and politics.

In a democracy, the bureaucracy must operate neutrally and independently of political influence and not favour the ruling party. And government resources must not be used for partisan activities, to ensure that the governing party does not gain an unfair electoral advantage.

The Congress party president, Mallikarjun Kharge, wrote a letter to the prime minister, pointing out that the move is a violation of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which prohibit civil servants from participating in political activities.

The Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct set similar boundaries.

It’s not just the current ruling party facing such accusations. Past allegations have hit multiple parties.

Accusations against the Congress party have previously centered on the misuse of Doordarshan, the state-run broadcaster. During Delhi elections, the Aam Aadmi Party faced similar accusations.

Regional parties, including the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Trinamool Congress, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Shiv Sena, have also been accused of using state-run resources for electoral gains.

However, the current initiative is unprecedented in scale, involving all government ministries as well as the armed forces.

The circular appears to be a new low in the erosion of the separation between government and ruling party, one that threatens to undermine the very foundations of Indian democracy.