Congress Faces Backlash Over Past Use of Lateral Entry in Government

The Congress and opposition parties criticize the BJP-led government's decision to invite applications for 45 mid-level posts through lateral entry. Government sources highlight that notable figures joined during Congress rule via similar processes, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and others. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal counters criticisms by citing Congress's precedent.

The Congress and other opposition parties are coming down hard on the BJP government over the Union Public Service Commission's (UPSC) recent move to invite applications for 45 mid-level posts through lateral entry. Government sources noted that several technocrats, economists, and specialists joined the government during Congress's tenure, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Planning Commission member NK Singh.

According to sources, entrepreneur Sam Pitroda was inducted into the government in the 1980s under Rajiv Gandhi's administration, playing a key role in India's telecom revolution. Manmohan Singh entered as an economic advisor in 1971 before becoming Finance Minister in 1991 and later Prime Minister. Similarly, V Krishnamurthy and Bimal Jalan were brought in to drive industrial and economic policies, serving in significant positions such as RBI Governor and Chief Economic Advisor, respectively.

Congress's precedent of lateral entries continued with figures like Kaushik Basu, Raghuram Rajan, Arvind Virmani, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and Nandan Nilekani, who held key economic and administrative roles. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal rebutted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claims against the current lateral entry move. Gandhi labeled it an 'attack on Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis,' accusing the BJP of undermining constitutional reservations.

(With inputs from agencies.)