Government Employees Slam Former CM Khattar over Allegations of Biased Polling

Government employees in Haryana have slammed former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for his allegations that a section of government employees displayed bias and indulged in bogus polling during the recent elections. The claims made by Khattar, who was the BJP candidate from Karnal, have sparked a tussle between the employees and the ruling party over the fairness of the electoral process. 

Vijender Dhariwal, an employees' leader and the state president of the Pension Bahali Sangharsh Samiti, Haryana, expressed anger among employees and officers due to Khattar's warning. He questioned how it was possible for employees to be biased when the ruling party had a vast network of workers on duty during the elections.

Dr. SS Chahar, a former director of the Centre for Haryana Studies, also echoed similar sentiments, stating that it was unprecedented for the government to accuse employees of being biased in the electoral process, especially when the ruling party had a significant presence of workers monitoring the proceedings. 

Dharamvir Singh, the state president of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh (SKS), criticised Khattar's stance, claiming that during his tenure as Chief Minister, he never listened to the issues raised by employees. Singh alleged that Khattar only engaged with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), neglecting other employee unions.

In a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Dhariwal alleged that Khattar had threatened to "see" the employees after June 4, which he claimed amounted to a violation of the model code of conduct. Dhariwal asserted that employees had always worked honestly to conduct the election process without any pressure or bias, and no complaints were received at any booth.

The letter further claimed that over the past nine years, the BJP government led by Khattar had resorted to lathi charges and firing tear gas shells at employees, farmers, labourers, Asha workers, Anganwadi workers, sarpanches, and unemployed youth for raising their demands through democratic means.

Dhariwal attributed the impact of Khattar's dictatorial attitude and failure to keep promises as the reason behind the electoral outcome. Khattar had previously stated that a section of employees had not played a fair role during polling and claimed to have reports suggesting they were acting at the behest of the Congress party, influencing the polling process.

As tensions continue to simmer, both sides remain resolute in their stances, with the government employees vehemently denying any wrongdoing and the ruling party standing by the former Chief Minister's allegations, setting the stage for a potential showdown over the integrity of the electoral process.