Congress Criticizes Modi Over Lateral Entry Withdrawal

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal criticizes Prime Minister Modi and the BJP-RSS regime after the government cancels the lateral entry advertisement, calling it a 'harsh lesson.' Congress emphasizes the threat to reservation policies and vows to protect the rights of SC, ST, and OBC communities.

After the central government withdrew the lateral entry advertisement on Tuesday, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal described it as a 'harsh lesson' for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-RSS regime. Venugopal took to social media platform X to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of utilizing the lateral entry system to undermine reservation policies.

He noted that for six years, numerous voices have raised concerns over how the lateral entry system threatens to dismantle reservation provisions in the bureaucracy. 'Let this lateral entry incident serve as a harsh lesson for PM Modi and the BJP-RSS regime to never tamper with the Constitution,' Venugopal stated. The lateral entry system was introduced in 2018, and over the years, countless voices have described it as a tactic to destroy reservations in the bureaucracy.

Under the leadership of INC President Mallikarjun Kharge and LOP Rahul Gandhi, Congress promises to be the staunchest guardians of the Constitution and reservations. 'No attempt to dilute the representation and fundamental rights of SC, ST, and OBCs will be allowed,' he asserted. Venugopal praised NDA allies who stood against 'the injustice being plotted by their ally BJP.' He urged the Union to retire the lateral entry mechanism and ensure adequate representation for marginalized communities in senior bureaucracy positions.

Earlier, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh also criticized the central government for withdrawing the lateral entry mechanism amid public uproar. In a post on X, Ramesh pointed out that the lateral entry was strongly advocated in 2017 by the NITI Aayog and was announced a year later as a major reform measure meant to transform the civil service. 'Since 2019, 63 appointments have been made through lateral entry. Another 45 were planned for this year but have now been cancelled,' he said. Ramesh accused Prime Minister Modi of attempting 'damage control.' 'His supporters are trying to shift responsibility, although the initiative was celebrated as one of Modi's transformational projects when it launched in 2018,' he remarked. The UPSC recently released a notification for recruiting Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries through lateral entry. Following criticism, the Department of Personnel and Training asked the UPSC to cancel the advertisement.

(With inputs from agencies.)