Gandhi's remarks came in response to a recent Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) advertisement seeking to fill 45 high-ranking positions in various government ministries through lateral entry. The Congress leader described the scheme as a deliberate move to privatize the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and bypass the traditional examination-based recruitment process that ensures representation for underprivileged communities. According to Gandhi, this approach allows the government to appoint individuals without due consideration for the reservations that are supposed to protect disadvantaged groups.
The BJP, in turn, has defended the lateral entry scheme, arguing that it addresses a critical need for specialized skills in government positions. The party has also countered Gandhi's accusations by pointing out that similar reforms were recommended during the UPA government, under the chairmanship of Veerappa Moily, as part of the Administrative Reforms Commission in 2005. This, they argue, highlights the hypocrisy in the Congress party's current stance.
As the debate over the lateral entry scheme continues, it underscores the ongoing tensions between the government and opposition over the direction of public sector reforms in India. The issue has sparked significant controversy, with both sides accusing each other of politicizing the matter for electoral gain. Gandhi's criticisms reflect broader concerns within the Congress party and other opposition groups about the potential erosion of affirmative action policies under the current administration.